Title VI Non-Discrimination Policy

Your Public Rights Under Title VI

The DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study (DSATS) operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, religion, sex, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with DSATS.

For more information on DSATS’s civil rights program or to file a complaint, please see the complaint procedures and form below, contact 815-756-9513; email DSATS@DeKalbCounty.org; or visit our administrative office at:

DeKalb County Highway Department
1826 Barber Greene Road
DeKalb, IL 60115

A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) by contacting FTA’s Office of Civil Rights no later than 180 days after the alleged discrimination at (888) 446-4511 or by writing their administrative office at:

FTA Office of Civil Rights
Attn: Title VI Program Coordinator
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

If information is needed in another language, please contact (815) 756-9513.

 

Title VI Complaint Procedures

Any person who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin by the DeKalb-Sycamore Area Transportation Study (DSATS) may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI complaint form. DSATS investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. DSATS will process complaints that are complete.

One a complaint is received, DSATS will review it to determine if DSATS has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement letter informing them whether the complaint will be investigated by DSATS.

DSATS has 120 days to investigate the complaint. If more information is needed to resolve the case, DSATS may contact the complainant. The complainant has 30 business days from the date of this letter to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive additional information within 30 business days, DSATS can administratively close the case. A case can also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.

After the investigator reviews the complaint, the investigator will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. An LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary actions, additional training of the staff member, or other action will occur. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, they have 30 days after the date of the closure letter or LOF to do so.