Hate crimes rising in Illinois, calls for stronger laws, police training: Report

The Midwest Anti-Defamation League says hate crimes in Illinois are on the rise

a newly released report supported by FBI data. We're talking about an average of one incident every three days

Between 2020 and 2024, the ADL received over 1,000 reports of hate

extremism, terrorism, and anti-Semitism across Illinois. According to data released Wednesday, the reports targeted

immigrant, black, Jewish, Muslim, and LGBTQ plus communities ranging from public events to flyers

and stickers. Cook County, home to Chicago, saw the highest number of incidents with 428 reports

The majority came from white supremacist propaganda. Cook County is also home to Skokie

where a 1977 U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowed the National Socialist Party of America to hold a

Nazi rally in the city with a significant Jewish population, though the event never materialized

The ADL says white supremacy groups are behind most of the reports they receive

We see individuals being targeted because of their race, their religion, their nationality

their immigration status, and flyers are being dropped on their homes or on private property

That is clearly when it crosses the line. When we see a mosque having anti flyers being dropped in front of it it clear that that not just free speech it a hate crime

FBI data lines up with the numbers from the Anti-Defamation League, reporting 938 hate crimes in Illinois over the last five years

most targeting African Americans and classified as anti-black. At a press conference Wednesday, the ADL said stronger laws could help reduce hate crimes and make sure these incidents don't go underreported

The group is urging lawmakers to pass the Neighborhood Freedom from Intimidation Act, which would let victims of hate crimes sue for damages starting at $10,000

To win their case, victims would need to show evidence of harm in court

In Illinois, a hate crime is when someone commits a crime like assault, battery or intimidation because of bias against a person's race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or immigration status

Penalties depend on how serious a crime is and whether it's a first time or repeat offense

The ADL also calls on more training for every police department so officers can better spot, respond to and prevent hate crimes

And requiring law enforcement to share data on extremist threats to improve how they are tracked and stop them from happening again

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey. For all your latest news headlines and fact-based stories, head to san.com or download the Straight Arrow News mobile app