Hate crimes rising in Illinois, calls for stronger laws, police training: Report
46 views
Apr 11, 2025
Hate crimes in Illinois are increasing according to a report. The Anti-Defamation League urges stronger laws and calls for police training.
View Video Transcript
0:00
The Midwest Anti-Defamation League says hate crimes in Illinois are on the rise
0:05
a newly released report supported by FBI data. We're talking about an average of one incident every three days
0:14
Between 2020 and 2024, the ADL received over 1,000 reports of hate
0:20
extremism, terrorism, and anti-Semitism across Illinois. According to data released Wednesday, the reports targeted
0:27
immigrant, black, Jewish, Muslim, and LGBTQ plus communities ranging from public events to flyers
0:34
and stickers. Cook County, home to Chicago, saw the highest number of incidents with 428 reports
0:40
The majority came from white supremacist propaganda. Cook County is also home to Skokie
0:46
where a 1977 U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowed the National Socialist Party of America to hold a
0:53
Nazi rally in the city with a significant Jewish population, though the event never materialized
0:59
The ADL says white supremacy groups are behind most of the reports they receive
1:04
We see individuals being targeted because of their race, their religion, their nationality
1:10
their immigration status, and flyers are being dropped on their homes or on private property
1:17
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
1:31
FBI data lines up with the numbers from the Anti-Defamation League, reporting 938 hate crimes in Illinois over the last five years
1:39
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
1:52
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
2:01
To win their case, victims would need to show evidence of harm in court
2:05
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
2:18
Penalties depend on how serious a crime is and whether it's a first time or repeat offense
2:23
The ADL also calls on more training for every police department so officers can better spot, respond to and prevent hate crimes
2:32
And requiring law enforcement to share data on extremist threats to improve how they are tracked and stop them from happening again
2:39
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
#Discrimination & Identity Relations
#Human Rights & Liberties
#news
#Politics
#Violence & Abuse