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SEN. AQUINO BACKS ANTI-HATE CRIME LEGISLATION

05/09/2017

SPRINGFIELD –State Sen. Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, is the Senate sponsor of a piece of legislation to update state hate crime laws. It was approved by a Senate committee today.

The measure updates Illinois’ hate crime laws to include intimidation, stalking, cyberstalking and the transmission of obscene messages as potential hate crimes and provides civil penalties of up to $25,000. An initiative of the Illinois Attorney General’s office, the proposal aims to combat the recent rise in hate-related incidents and give victims peace of mind.

“I am disturbed by the rising number of hate crimes across the country,” Aquino said. “Sadly, the people committing these crimes are increasingly using technology and methods not covered in existing law. Let this serve as a clear message that hate has no home in Illinois.”

A hate crime is any serious crime committed by reason of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or national origin of another individual or group of individuals. Intent must be proven in order to prosecute a hate crime.

House Bill 3711 has already passed the House of Representatives and has been approved by the Senate Committee on Criminal Law. It moves to the full Senate for debate.