JOLIET, Ill. – A new law sponsored by state Rep. Larry Walsh, Jr., D-Elwood, to crack down on hate crimes against houses of worship and increase penalties for those convicted of committing hate crimes will take effect Jan. 1, 2018.

“Racist remarks by Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, and others on the far right have fueled an atmosphere of hate and intolerance, and that has led to a shocking rise in unacceptable acts of hatred and intolerance,” Walsh said. “I refuse to sit back without taking action to defend all Americans, which is why I sponsored a law to ensure that those who commit crimes are brought to justice and that victims receive fair financial compensation.”

Responding to incidents of vandalism and racist graffiti targeting houses of worship throughout Illinois, Walsh’s House Bill 2390 allows police and prosecutors to charge criminals who target religious institutions with a hate crime. His measure also requires community service ordered following a conviction must be performed in the county where the offender was convicted of the crime. Individuals convicted of committing hate crimes must attend in-person educational classes focused on discouraging hate crimes against the targeted group.

Walsh’s new law also gives judges the ability to determine a fair financial amount based on the severity of the crime and damages suffered by the victim. Parents and legal guardians would also be financially responsible for crimes committed by minors.

“Our diversity is our strength, so when someone attacks an individual because of their background or belief, they are attacking all Americans,” Walsh said. “Another key component of this new law is the education requirement, because the only way to combat hate is through educating individuals of the importance of acceptance.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation backed by state Rep. Larry Walsh, D-Joliet, to crack down on hate crimes against houses of worship and increases penalties for those convicted of committing hate crimes was recently signed into law.

“Hate has no place in our country and those who commit these horrific crimes must be brought to justice,” Walsh said. “This legislation will ensure our religious centers are protected and makes it easier for victims of hate crimes to receive financial compensation.”

Responding to incidents of vandalism and racist graffiti targeting houses of worship throughout Illinois, Walsh helped pass House Bill 2390 to allow police and prosecutors the ability to charge criminals who target religious institutes with a hate crime. This measure also requires community service ordered following a conviction must be performed in the county where the offender was convicted of the crime. Individuals convicted of committing hate crimes must attend in-person educational classes focused on discouraging hate crimes against the targeted group.

House Bill 2390 also gives judges the ability to determine a fair financial amount based on the severity of the crime and damages suffered by the victim or house of worship. Parents and legal guardians would also be financially responsible for crimes committed by minors

Walsh also recently cosponsored House Resolution 569, which condemns white supremacists, neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan, and any other group that espouses hate and seeks to undermine the ideals of Illinois and the nation. It also mourns the death of Heather Heyer who was killed when a white supremacist drove his car into a group of people protesting against hate and the deaths of Virginia state troopers Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper Berke M. M. Bates, whose helicopter crashed in the area.

“We are not born with hate in our hearts, we learn it, and the only way to eliminate hate is by increasing education and awareness,” Walsh said. “This measure will require those convicted of hate crimes to attend education classes about the group they targeted in the hopes of helping eliminate their hateful views.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to reports of a nationwide increase of hate crimes, especially crimes targeting houses of worship and religious centers, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, passed legislation out of the House, which provides greater protections and strengthened penalties against those convicted of committing these crimes. Her legislation passed with bipartisan support.

“I wanted to ensure we’re doing everything we can here in Illinois to prevent these acts of hate from occurring and protect minority communities,” Kifowit said. “My legislation focuses not just on punishing criminals who commit hate crimes, but the bill also offers victims the just compensation they deserve.”

Kifowit’s House Bill 2390 makes several changes to Illinois current hate crime law. Her bill extends hate crime protections to include the exterior and grounds of religious buildings. Community service ordered following a conviction must be performed in the county where the offender was convicted of the crime. Individuals convicted of committing hate crimes must attend in-person educational classes focused on discouraging hate crimes against the targeted group. Kifowit’s measure also gives judges the ability to determine a fair financial amount based on the severity of the crime and damages suffered by the victim. Parents and legal guardians would also be financially responsible for crimes committed by minors.

“The only way to combat and end hate crimes is through education and understanding,” Kifowit said. “I believe it’s necessary for those who commit hate crimes to have to learn about who they targeted and why their actions are wrong.”