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Civil Rights

Contact

Latrice L. Lacey
Director
Phone:
(563) 326-7888
Fax:
(563) 326-7956
Email:


Welcome to the website of the davenport civil rights commission!




***A Message From Our Director***

 Dear Community Members of the City of Davenport,

The health and safety of community members, visitors, customers and our staff at the Davenport Civil Rights Commission is always our top priority.  Amid concerns about the potential exposure to COVID-19 (corona virus) as a precautionary measure, we have made the decision to close the office and work from home until further notice. We assure you that we have everything in place to continue serving your civil rights needs as this situation develops.  The office is still functioning and ready to serve, we will limit communication to telephone and email correspondence.  For telephone correspondence, you can call our office and leave and message and we will return the call within 24 hours.  We have decided to take these measures to comply with social distancing recommendations to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

During this time, we ask that you follow CDC guidelines on how to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Although we will be working during this time period, I reiterate that we will be limiting communication to telephone and email. 

Below are some ways for us to serve you at home and protect your civil rights during this pandemic:

•    Always feel free to contact us during the business hours of 8am to 5pm via telephone at 563-326-7888 and via email at stephanie.musser@davenportiowa.com for assistance or questions.

       •    If you need a physical copy of a civil rights complaint form, we can mail or email one to you. Please contact us via telephone or email to request a complaint form. To return the form, you can:

-mail it to: Davenport Civil Rights Commission, 226 West 4th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801;

-email a scanned copy to stephanie.musser@davenportiowa.com; or

-fax a copy to 563-326-7956.

The Davenport Civil Rights Commission is committed to keeping this community safe and informed while continuing to protect the civil rights needs throughout the community as we navigate this situation. Thank you for your understanding as we work through this situation together. Working together as a community, we can prevent the spread of this virus and potentially save lives in the process.

Sincerely,

Latrice L. Lacey, Director of the Davenport Civil Rights Commission


Welcome to the Davenport Civil Rights Commission webpage!

Our mission is to eliminate discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, marital status and familial status within the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, education and credit. At the Davenport Civil Rights Commission, we investigate discrimination complaints, educate the Davenport community about federal, state, and local civil rights law, recommend legislation to enforce the Davenport Civil Rights Ordinance, and collaborate with federal, state and local civil rights agencies. We are committed to serving you!

* Please note our office closes for staff in-service at 1 p.m. on the 3rd Friday of every month

   
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DCRC AGENDAS & MEETING MINUTES INCLUDING DIRECTOR'S REPORTS AND THE CASE STATUS REPORTS
(once you click in here, click on pdf agenda, open it, and
scroll down the document to see everything)

DCRC NEWS & EVENTS 

Join the Davenport Civil Rights Commission on April 5, 2023, in City Council Chambers at the Council Meeting where the city will issue a proclamation celebrating the 55th anniversary of the passage of Fair Housing Act and honoring the annual celebration of April as Fair Housing Month. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

ANNUAL REPORTS

Click here to view our Annual Reports

Davenport Civil Rights Walking Tour

Download the Walking Tour Brochure

Filing a complaint
Filing A Complaint

Complaints are required to be filed within three hundred (300) days of the alleged discriminatory incident for employment, education, public accommodation, and credit complaints, and no later than one (1) year of the alleged discriminatory incident for housing complaints. DCRC will provide language interpreters or general assistance upon request in order to complete the necessary forms.

To file a complaint in person, by mail or fax, please print the appropriate document and submit:

File a Credit Complaint

File an Education Complaint

File an Employment Complaint

File a Housing Complaint

File a Public Accommodation Complaint

To file an online complaint: COMING SOON!

(For best results make sure you are using the latest version of Adobe Reader Click here to download)

For further details regarding the complaint process please refer to:

Description of complaint process or Flowchart of the complaint process

Frequently Asked Questions

Consider Mediation

Mediation is an informal and confidential way for people to resolve disputes with the help of a neutral third party who is trained to help people discuss their differences. The mediator does not decide who is right or wrong, but instead, helps the parties work out their own solutions to the problem. Mediation is encouraged and offered as soon as the complaint is filed and all throughout the investigative process.

Mediation is not only nationally recognized as an excellent way to resolve complaints, but mediation is FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, QUICK and SUCCESSFUL. It also allows for creative settlement options and a method for both parties to be part of the solution and control the final resolution.

The decision to mediate is completely voluntary.  If both parties agree to mediate, a time and date will be scheduled and the mediation will be conducted by a trained and experienced mediator. If an agreement is reached, it is a binding agreement enforceable in court.  If an agreement is not reached, the charge will be investigated like any other charge.

Mediation is a FREE service offered through our office. If you are interested in taking advantage of the mediation process or have further questions regarding mediation, please contact our Mediation Coordinator at 563-326-7888.


Mediation FAQs

Your rights!
What are Civil Rights?

Civil rights are personal rights guaranteed and protected by the U.S. Constitution and statutes such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Iowa Civil Rights Act, and the Davenport Civil Rights Ordinance. Civil Rights include the equal treatment of all people with respect to the enjoyment of life, liberty, and property and freedom from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, credit and education.

The Davenport Civil Rights Commission (DCRC) enforces the Davenport Civil Rights Ordinance which prohibits discrimination against person because of age, creed, marital status, race, sex, sexual orientation, disability, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender identity or familial status in the areas of employment, education, public accommodations, credit and housing.

Click here to view or download 2.58 of the Davenport Municipal Code

The following table shows the protected classes under the Davenport Civil Rights Ordinance. 

`
Protected Classes        Areas of Protection
Employment Housing Public Accommodation Education Credit
Age  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
Race  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
Creed  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
Color  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
Religion  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
Sex  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
Gender Identity  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
Sexual Orientation  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
National Origin  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
Mental or Physical Disability  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
Marital Status  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark
Familial Status  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark  check mark

 

Areas of Protection

 

Credit

Everyday, countless individuals and families are denied access to mainstream credit.  Despite a reduction in the most blatant forms of discrimination, there is evidence that creditors commit more subtle discrimination against minority groups throughout the lending process. Discrimination occurs in: advertising and outreach, handling of pre-application inquiries, the loan approval or disapproval decision, loan pricing, and loan administration. Credit discrimination cases must be filed with the commission no later than 300 days from the date of the alleged incident.

 

Education

Under the Davenport Civil Rights Ordinance students, faculty, and staff are protected from discrimination in elementary and secondary schools as well as colleges.  Discrimination is defined as: the unequal treatment or denial of normal privileges to persons because of their immutable characteristics or personal choices. Education discrimination cases must be filed with the commission no later than 300 days from the date of the alleged incident.

 

Employment

It is unlawful to fail or refuse to hire, discharge any individual, or to discriminate against any individual with respect to the individual's compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. Employment discrimination complaints must be filed with the commission no later than 300 days from the date of the alleged incident.

 

Housing

It is unlawful to fail to rent or sell property because of a protected class, or advertise a preference or limitation, or impose different terms or conditions during tenancy based on a protected class.  It is also unlawful to fail to provide, or impose different terms and conditions, in home loans and insurance because of a protected class. Housing discrimination complaints must be filed with the commission no later than (1) year from the date of the alleged incident.

Factsheet Harassment in Housing

 

Public Accommodation

Public Accommodations are facilities whose goods, services or premises are offered to the public for a fee. Examples of public accommodations are: restaurants, hotels, retail stores, shopping centers, bars, museums, theaters, stadiums, parks, bus stations, airports, health clubs, and hospitals. Under City ordinance 2.58, it is illegal to deny a person access or treat them unequally, in a public accommodation because of their protected class. Public Accommodation discrimination complaints must be filed with the commission no later than 300 days from the dated of the alleged incident.

 

The Commissioners

The Commission consists of seven Commissioners who serve without compensation. Commissioners are appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by the City Council, and serve two-year terms. The Commission elects officers as necessary from the members of the Commission.

The Commission appoints a Director, and the Director is required to report to the Commission monthly on the activities of the Director and the status of complaints filed in the office. The regularly scheduled Commission meeting are held the second Tuesday of the month at 12:00 p.m. at City Hall in the Civil Rights Conference Room.

 

Meeting Minutes & Agendas

Director's Reports

 

Accessibility Always!

The Davenport Civil Right Commission is conducting an Accessibility Always campaign. Accessibility Always is a survey of various local restaurants that identifies American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible restaurants throughout Davenport. The purpose of this survey is to inform members of our community with a disability about accessible services, as well as, motivate restaurants to comply with ADA regulations.

The Davenport Civil Rights Commission identified various restaurants throughout the City based on their diverse locations and cuisine type. These restaurants are evaluated on their compliance with ADA entrance, parking lot, interior, and restroom standards.

The information is compiled in a restaurant guide available below. 

Accessibility Always Logo

 

In addition to providing information through written documents the Davenport Civil Rights Commission is distributing window decals with the Accessibility Always logo to each business meeting the accessible standards.

Requests to survey a location are welcome!  Please contact our office at 563-326-7888 or click on Service Requests at the top of this page

 

*This is not a comprehensive list of all restaurants in Davenport.  Restaurants that meet the requirements will be continually added to the list. 

Settlements

Date

Area

Terms

TRIGGER

BASIS

1/8/2018

Housing

$750, Apology, Posters, Non-Discrimination Policy, FH Logo, FH Statement in Documents

Failure to Rent

Race

1/17/2018

Employment

$20,000, Posters

Terms, Termination

Familial Status, Physical Disability

1/31/2018

Employment

$2,300, Training, Positive Letter or Reference

Negative Treatment, Terms, Termination

Race

2/7/2018

Employment

Sexual Harassment, Failure to Accommodate/Modify, Racial Slurs, Termination

Race, Retaliation

2/7/2018

Employment

$50,000, Posters*

Terms, Termination

Mental Disability, Retaliation

2/12/2017

Employment

Terms, Discipline, Equal Pay, Termination

Age, Retaliation

2/15/2018

Transit

CP Doesn't have to take out his disabled pass as long as it is visible for the driver

Banned

Physical Disability

2/16/2018

Public Accommodations

$1,750, Posters

Negative Treatment

Race, Color

2/16/2018

Employment

$2,500, Posters, Neutral Reference, Training

Terms, Termination

Race

28-Feb

Employment

$5,000, LGBT Posters

Equal Pay, Terms, Termination

Physical Disability, Sex, Sexual Orientaion, Race, Retaliation

3/9/2018

Employment

$500, Posters

Terms

Race, Retaliation

3/14/2018

Employment

2 weeks back pay, Posters

Negative Treatment, Terms, Termination

Religion

5/8/2018

Public Accommodations

$1,000

Negative Treatment

Mental Disability

5/21/2018

Employment

$2,200, Training, and Non-Discrimination Policy

Harassment, Termination

Sexual Orientation, Sex

5/30/2018

Housing

$500, Positive Reference, File of Satisfaction on Eviction, Training

Terms, Eviction

Race, Physical Disability

7/10/2018

Employment

$2,000, Posters, Non-Discrimination Policy, Notification, EEO in Advertisement, EEO Logo on Aplications & Other Docs

Terms, Failure to Hire

Race

7/18/2018

Public Accommodations

Outside Training

Failure to Accommodate/Modify

Physical Disability

7/18/2018

Employment

$3,750, Posters

Terms, Discipline

Race

7/27/2018

Housing

$1520.00 in owed dues waived, Neutral Rental Reference

Terms, Discriminatory Acts

Race, Retaliation

8/24/2018

Employment

$1,500, Training

Terms, Harassment, Sexual Harassment, and Termination

Sexual Orientation, Sex, Gender Identity

9/21/2018

Housing

September rent waived, landlord takes care of lawn, rent due date moved back, training, non-discrimination statement in lease

Negative Treatment

Race

10/5/2018

Employment

$3,000, Non-Discrimination, Notification, Training

Termination

Race

10/11/2018

Employment

Complainant return to work after 48 hour period following recepit of FMLA patient letter, Complainant assigned to jobs closer to Bettendorf, non-discrimination policy

Failure to Promote, Failure to Accommodate/Modify, Harassment

Age, Race, Physical Disability, Mental Disability

10/15/2018

Housing

Apology, Explanation for Denial, Posters

Failure to Rent

Sexual Orientation, Marital Status, Mental Disability, National Origin, Sex

11/6/2018

Housing

RP will expand policy on docuemnts to verify proof of income, rewritten criminal background check policy, and notification on applications and leases

Failure to Rent

Race

11/13/2018

Employment

$20,000, Harassment Policy

Racial Slurs, Discipline

Race, Retaliation

11/13/2018

Employment

Training, Posters

Racial Slurs

Age, Race

11/13/2018

Employment

, Notification

Racial Harassment

Race

11/30/2018

Employment

$1,500 and Notification of Non-Discrimination Policy

Terms, Harassment, Termination

Race, Retaliation

12/3/2018

Employment

CP gets to follow location checklist, CP will have questions answered regarding the schedule, and that he will get directions without hostility from management, Posters

Terms

Sex, Physical Disability, Retaliation

12/12/2018

Employment

Neutral letter of reference, Posters

Terms

Race

12/28/2018

Public Accommodations

Trespass Notice revoked, CP allowed to attend the business under the same rules as all other visitors

Terms

National Origin

 


Settlements 2017

Date            Area            Basis        Trigger          Terms

 

1/30/2017

Employment

Race

Termination

$202 and training

2/13/2017

Housing

Race, Physical Disability

Failure to Rent

$500 and training

2/15/2017

Employment

Race

Terms, Negative Treatment, Racial Slurs, Harassment

Removing all disciplinary records from Cp file, training

2/28/2017

Employment

Sexual Orientation, Physical Disability

Terms, Harassment, Negative Treatment

Accommodation of Cp's medical needs, including coverage for medical leave, and posters

3/8/2017

Employment

Race

Negative Treatment, Harassment

$8,000 and Training

3/13/2017

Employment

Race, Familial Status, Marital Status, Retaliation

Terms, Negative Treatment, Termination

$2,112, neutral reference, & Posters

3/27/2017

Employment

Sexual Orientation, Race, Retaliation

Terms, Termination

$3,000, notification, and posters

4/3/2017

Employment

Physical Disability

Negative Treatment, Termination

$7,000 & Posters

5/10/2017

Housing

Race, Mental Disability

Terms, Harassment

$5,000 and must move out by May 31, 2017

5/11/2017

Housing

Sex

Sexual Harassment, Terms

Cp gets first option on available RP housing, $100 per month towards rent for 6 months, advertisement

5/15/2017

Housing

Mental Disability

Failure to Accommodate/Modify, Eviction

$125 taken off owed rent, allowed to have more than 1 dog on the property temporarily, Training and posters

5/23/2017

Transit

Physical Disability

Failure to Accommodate/Modify

Signs will be posted informing drivers that they should try and ensure people with disabilities are seated in priority seating when necessary

6/14/2017

Transit

Physical Disability

Terms

Two 30 day Bus Passes and Training

6/15/2017

Public Accommodations

Physical Disability, Mental Disability, Retaliation

Negative Treatment, Failure to Serve

$250 in vouchers and $250 in cash, and Notification

6/28/2017

Housing

Race

Racial Harassment

3 months free rent, Fair Housing Statement in Lease

7/26/2017

Housing

Race

Failure to Rent

Recognition of grievances, Posters, Fair Housing Logo, Fair Housing Statement on Application & Lease

8/9/2017

Housing

Race

Failure to Rent

Discount on rent for current month, paid deposit carries over to new unit, Fair Housing Logo

8/10/2017

Employment

Race

Termination

Neutral reference, $3,200, Notification

8/23/2017

Employment

Race

Terms, Termination

$2,250 and Posters

8/29/2017

Employment

Race, Sex

Termination

$2,500 and Posters

9/25/2017

Employment

Physical Disability, Sex, Retaliation

Harassment, Negative Treatment

$2,600 & Training

11/8/2017

Housing

National Origin, Physical Disability, Sex

Terms

$540, Positive Reference, Allowed to break lease w/o penalties, Apology, Repairs to the sidewalk, no action re: carpet damage when returning deposit, training, reasonable accommodation request process written in writing

11/21/2017

Employment

Age, Retaliation

Terms, Termination

$1,500 and posters

12/8/2017

Public Accommodations

Physical Disability, Mental Disability

Failure to Accommodate/Modify

$200, posters

 



Settlements 2016
 DATE  AREA BASIS TRIGGER TERMS

Jan. 20, 2016

Housing

Mental Disability

Terms

$500, Apology, Rental Reference, Training, Posters, Fair Housing Logo

Jan. 21, 2016

Housing

 

 

Notification, FH Policy, Posters, Training, Advertisement

Feb. 3, 2016

Housing

Race

Terms

$550, $568 off next month’s rent, Posters

Feb. 5, 2016

Employment

Physical Disability

Termination

$1,000, Training, Posters

Feb. 16, 2016

Employment

Sex

Sexual Harassment, Termination, Equal Pay

$10,000, Training, Notification

Mar. 4, 2016

Transit

Race

 

Training

Mar. 9, 2016

Education, Public Accommodation

Age, Race, Physical Disability, Retaliation

Negative Treatment

Implicit Bias Training

Mar. 11, 2016

Employment

Physical Disability

Failure to Accommodate/Modify, Termination

$27,500, Posters, Notification

Mar. 23, 2016

Housing

Race

Failure to Rent

$1,200, Policy, Posters, Notification

Mar. 30, 2016

Employment

Race, Retaliation

Termination, Racial Slurs

$750, Posters

Apr. 20, 2016

Employment

Age (Under 40), Sex

Sexual Harassment, Discipline, Termination

Apology, Positive Reference, Non-Discrimination Policy

Aug. 22, 2016

Employment

Race

Discipline, Termination, Terms

$1,000, Posters

Aug. 24, 2016

Employment

Sex, Retaliation

Negative treatment, Harassment

$2,000, Letter sent to Workforce Development, Training

Sep. 20, 2016

Employment

Mental Disability

Termination

 

$5,000

Sep. 22, 2016

Employment

Race

Termination, Discipline

$1,550, Posters

Oct. 12, 2016

Employment

Race

Racial Harassment, Racial Slurs

CP not scheduled with harasser, no cuts in hours, Policy

Nov. 16, 2016

Employment

Race

Termination, Racial Slurs, Terms

Training

Dec. 9, 2016

Employment

Sex, Race

Terms, Failure to Promote, Termination

Internal Investigation on Testing Procedures sent to CP

Dec. 13, 2016

Employment

Pregnancy, Mental Disability

Termination

$2,500, Training

Settlements 2015
 DATE  AREA BASIS TRIGGER TERMS

Jan 8, 2015

Employment

Race

Racial Slurs, Negative Treatment, Termination

$800, Policy Change, Training, Posters, Application Ads

Jan 20, 2015

Housing

Mental Disability, Race

Eviction

$5,000, Training, Policy Advertisement, Posters, Application Advertisement

Feb 2, 2015

Employment

Sex, Retaliation

Failure to Train

$8,000

Mar 2, 2015

Employment

Sex

Failure to Hire

$9,500

Mar 4, 2015

Public Accommodation

Physical Disability

Accessibility

Public Interest Items

Mar 6, 2015

Housing

Race, Retaliation

Attempt to Terminate Tenancy

$550

Mar 10, 2015

Transit

Physical Disability

Failure to Serve

Continued Training

Mar 11, 2015

Housing

Race, Physical Disability

Failure to Accommodate/Modify

$1,000 plus deposit

Mar 13, 2015

Employment

Race

Negative Treatment

$15,000, posters

Mar 13, 2015

Employment

Sex, Retaliation

Sexual Harassment

$40,000

Mar 18, 2015

Employment

Race

Negative Treatment, Racial Harassment

$6,000, Specific Performances

Mar 24, 2015

Employment

Age, National Origin

Reduction of Hours

Increased Hours

April 7, 2015

Public Accommodation

Race

Failure to Serve

$500

April 15, 2015

Employment

Pregnancy, Sex

Termination

$10,000

May 6, 2015

Employment

Physical Disability

Failure to Hire

$1,000

May 11, 2015

Housing

Mental Disability, Physical Disability

Failure to Accommodate/Modify

$500

May 28, 2015

Employment

Age

Demotion, Termination

Training

Jun 3, 2015

Employment

Mental Disability, Physical Disability

Failure to Accommodate/Modify

$3,910, Training

Jun 11, 2015

Education

Mental Disability, Physical Disability, Race

Failure to Serve

Training

Jul 20, 2015

Employment

Sex

Sexual Harassment

 

$3,000, policy change

Jul 30, 2015

Employment

Age, Sex, Physical Disability, Mental Disability

Termination

$25,000, training

Aug 5, 2015

Employment

Race, Sex

Termination

 

$375, Policy, Training

Aug 19, 2015

Employment

Race

Failure to Hire

 

$5,500

Sept 3, 2015

Housing

Sex

Sexual Harassment

No Contact, Retrieve Mail, Waive rights to any owed rent (Valued at $1,060)

Sept 22, 2015

Transit

Physical Disability

Failure to Accommodate/Modify

Driver Training

Oct 1, 2015

Housing

Sex, Mental Disability

Eviction, Sexual Harassment, Harassment

$5,252.50, advertisement

Oct 23, 2015

Employment

Age

Termination

$20,000

Oct 28, 2015

Transit

Physical Disability

Accessibility

Specific Performance: RP to provide CP with Policy Info

Dec 4, 2015

Employment

Religion

Discipline, Termination

$2,400

Dec 16, 2015

Public Accommodations

Physical Disability

Accessibility

$8,004, fix elevator

Dec 29, 2015

Housing

Physical Disability

Eviction, Failure to Accommodate/Modify

$310.89, training

Training & Education

The Davenport Civil Rights Commission offers materials, no cost training, and educational programs on civil rights to employers, the housing industry and community groups. Please contact our office to arrange for training and education.

Presentations

HUD FLYER

Civil Rights History

Civil Rights Law

Diversity in the Workplace

Who We Are 

Sexual Harassment

Fair Housing Under Federal, State & Local Law

Landlord Training

LGBT NCLR Presentation

LGBT One Iowa Presentation

LGBT Equal Access Rule Training 

Additional Resources

Effective Communication and the ADA

Criminal Background Check Flyer

Assistance Animal Fact Sheet

Service Animals in Public Places

Advertising Guidelines

Fair Housing Act Accessibility Requirements

History of the Davenport Civil Rights Commission

Davenport established a civil rights commission by ordinance in 1962. The commission established in1962 had no enforcement power, but that was changed by a new civil rights ordinance enacted in 1974. The 1974 ordinance established the Davenport Civil Rights Commission and provided at that time that persons are to be protected from discrimination in the city based upon their race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, age, or mental or physical disability. The areas protected by the ordinance in 1974 included employment, credit, public accommodation, and housing.

The ordinance was amended in 1999 to make its housing provisions substantially equivalent to the federal Fair Housing Act and to grant the Commission subpoena powers during its investigation process. The ordinance was amended again in 2000 to add sexual orientation as a protected class. In 2005, the ordinance was amended again to clarify some of its provisions and to add education as a protected area.

The Davenport Civil Rights Ordinance enacted in 1974 provides that its purpose is to provide a Civil Rights Commission at the local level that will secure freedom of discrimination for all persons who are members of a protected class within the city and to provide a Commission dedicated to the effective enforcement of the civil rights chapter. The ordinance additionally gave the Commission the power to enter into contracts with federal, state, or other municipal civil rights agencies to further the purposes of the civil rights chapter. Under the power granted by the ordinance, the Davenport Commission enters a contract each year with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission to enforce state and local civil rights laws.

In 2000, after the Davenport Civil Rights Commission became substantially equivalent to the federal Fair Housing Act, it began to enter contracts with the United States Department of Urban Development [HUD] each year to enforce fair housing laws in Davenport.

Effective enforcement of civil rights laws locally is extremely important for entitlement cities like Davenport because it can have an impact on the receipt of federal funds.  Community development block grant dollars are received by entitlement cities from HUD in exchange for evidence that the community takes all efforts to affirmatively further fair housing in its community.  The Davenport Civil Rights Commission is extremely proud of its record of both its education and outreach and its enforcement efforts regarding all areas in which it offers protections.   Its exemplary record is reflected in both the 2000 and 2005 Impediments to Fair Housing Studies that are required by HUD, awards received in recognition of outstanding contributions to the community from the local NAACP Branch, and for the Commission's outstanding work in protecting people's civil rights from the Iowa Lulac State Committee.

The first Commissioners appointed by Mayor O'Brien in 1962 include:

Paul Ives

Henry Vargas

Charles Toney

Harry Roberts

Virgil Bowen

Hollister Hosutt

Lawrence Satin
 
The director position was created in March of 1970.  William Cribbs [WC] was appointed to be the first director in September of 1970.  E. King Morris, Jerry Smith, Sandra Williams, and Brenda Drew-Peeples served as directors after William Cribbs and up to 1999.  Judith J. Morrell was hired on March 1, 1999 and served as director until 2014.  In 2014 Latrice Lacey was appointed as Director of the Civil Rights Commission. 

Davenport Civil Rights Commission Historical Tour

The Davenport's Civil Rights Commission in partnership with St. Ambrose University and the Putnam Museum captured the story of Davenport's Civil Rights History from 1945 to 1974. This is a compelling, inspiring story and it needs to be told, and retold for generations to come. Click on the link below for additional information and to download the map to visit the places where local civil rights events took place!

Davenport Civil Rights Commission Historical Tour

Below is a link to the recent interview with Civil Rights Activist Bill Cribbs done by the Quad Cities Times reporter as well as  the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. address in Davenport, IA on April 28, 1965.

About us

Discrimination has been a long-standing issue in the United States and has taken on several forms. Our staff is dedicated to eliminating all forms of discrimination by:

  • Promoting quality of life in Davenport for all individuals.
  • Raising awareness by offering training and educational sessions and distributing information throughout the community.
  • Building partnerships with other civic and social organizations to embrace diversity.