During fiscal 1998 the legal department commenced litigation on behalf of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission in four cases, two in the area of employment and two in the area of housing. The employment cases involved allegations of sex and disability discrimination, respectively, and were settled prior to hearing for total benefits in the amount of $49,500.00. The housing discrimination claims were commenced in Iowa District court; the state was unsuccessful in one case involving allegations of discrimination based on mental disability but reached a favorable settlement in a case involving a denial of housing based on pregnancy and disability.

Four Commission determinations were successfully defended in state district court during fiscal 1998. A case previously tried before the Commission, involving pay discrimination on the basis of sex, was appealed and argued before the Iowa Supreme Court but at the close of the fiscal year no decision had been issued.