SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Criminals who target houses of worship for religiously motivated attacks will face tougher penalties under legislation passed by state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, addressing the alarming rise in hate crimes.

“This country was founded by groups fleeing religious persecution and oppression,” Connor said. “The spread of violence against our places of worship has to be met with unity and resolve, a religious house should always be a sanctuary. To enter one armed with the intent to harm those within because of how they worship or where they come from is contrary to the religious freedom our country was founded upon.”

Connor is backing House Bill 38, which strengthens sentences for a murder committed in a church, mosque, synagogue or other place of worship. Additionally, injuring a person in a religious institution will now carry a punishment of up to 15 years in prison, and carrying a gun or other weapon into a house of worship with the goal of harming someone will carry a punishment of up to seven years in prison.

“People still come to this country fleeing persecution and oppression, because of the principle of freedom of worship our country was founded on,” Connor said. “People need to feel secure sharing community with people of the same faith. When criminals take that security away, it has a destabilizing effect on everyone involved, and every community feels it.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to the Trump Administration not appointing a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism at the State Department, a resolution sponsored by State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, calling on Trump to fill the office passed the State Government Administration Committee today.

“In the past year, the Jewish community has experienced a rise in incidents directed against them. Cemeteries, synagogues, and Jewish schools and centers were desecrated. Anti-Semitic slogans were shouted at Jewish college students and at peaceful marchers in protest rallies. The Jewish community around the world is also facing attacks,” said Feigenholtz. “Now is the time to increase resources both at home and abroad to combat anti-Semitism, not decrease them.”

The Special Envoy plays a key role in diminishing anti-Jewish hatred overseas, and it is mandated by law since the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004. This position has been important in fighting anti-Semitism and past envoys have made key accomplishments to fight hate abroad.

Trump does not have the ability to single-handedly eliminate the office. However, by leaving the post vacant he is effectively rendering the office useless.

“Anti-Semitic attacks around the world are on the rise and have wide-reaching ripple effects,” said Bill Silverstein, Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council. “The office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism is an essential tool in the global fight against hate and bigotry, and should be filled without delay.”

For the full text of HR524, click here. For more information, contact Feigenholtz’s constituent services office at 773-296-4141 orsara@staterepsara.com. Please call 309-287-3243 after normal business hours.