Injunctive Powers of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission

In a decision reached in March 2007, the Iowa Supreme Court confirmed that the Iowa Civil Rights Commission had broad powers to prevent and remedy discrimination in housing. In State v. Burch, the Court ruled that the judge correctly awarded damages, a civil penalty and a permanent injunction, although the court narrowed the reach of the injunction. This is not the first time the Supreme Court has recognized the Commission’s ability to obtain injunctions in civil rights cases. See Downs v. Board of Trustees of Police Retirement System, 312 N.W.2d 563 (Iowa 1981) and Iowa Code § 601A.5(4)(2005). But this is the most recent discussion of why the power is an important one for the Commission to have.

[all images © Victoria L. Herring]