ANTI-HATE CRIME LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW
08/21/2017
SPRINGFIELD – State hate crime laws are strengthened under a new law sponsored in the Illinois Senate by State Sen. Omar Aquino and recently signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The measure, which is sponsored in the House by State Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford, 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.
“As a nation we watched how quickly hate speech can escalate into violence, which is why we must take definitive action to demonstrate that there is absolutely no place in our state for hatred based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion,” Aquino said. “I am proud to represent one of the most diverse areas of our diverse state, and I am proud to see our state taking this step to recognize that our diversity is what makes us strong.”
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.
The legislation was House Bill 3711.
The measure, which is sponsored in the House by State Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford, 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.
“As a nation we watched how quickly hate speech can escalate into violence, which is why we must take definitive action to demonstrate that there is absolutely no place in our state for hatred based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion,” Aquino said. “I am proud to represent one of the most diverse areas of our diverse state, and I am proud to see our state taking this step to recognize that our diversity is what makes us strong.”
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.
The legislation was House Bill 3711.
