Illinois
Fast Facts on Illinois Hate Crime Incidents*
| Bias Motivation Category | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry | 38 | 70 | 190 |
| Religion | 4 | 14 | 68 |
| Sexual Orientation | 11 | 11 | 75 |
| Disability | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Gender | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Gender Identity | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Total: | 56 | 98 | 346 |
| Crimes Against Persons | 234 | 61.3% |
| Crimes Against Property | 144 | 37.7% |
| Crimes Against Society | 4 | 1.0% |
| Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry | 190 | 54.9% |
| Religion | 68 | 19.7% |
| Sexual Orientation | 75 | 21.7% |
| Disability | 1 | 0.3% |
| Gender | 3 | 0.9% |
| Gender Identity | 9 | 2.6% |
*2021 was the first year that the annual hate crimes statistics were reported entirely through the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). As a result of the shift to NIBRS-only data collection, law enforcement agency participation in submitting all crime statistics, including hate crimes, fell significantly from 2020 to 2021.
Case Examples
A federal judge sentenced two men to prison for their roles in the 2017 bombing of the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota. Two other defendants have pled guilty to their roles in the bombing.
During the summer of 2017, the defendants joined a terrorist militia group called “The White Rabbits” in Clarence, Illinois. On August 4th and 5th, the group drove a rented truck from Illinois to Minnesota to bomb the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center. The defendants selected the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center to terrorize Muslims into believing they are not welcome in the United States and should leave the country. On August 5, the group bombed the Islamic Center. At the time of the bombing, several worshipers were gathered in the mosque for morning prayers.
On November 7, 2017, the group also attempted to set fire to the Women’s Health Practice in Champaign, Illinois. They used a sledgehammer to break a window and placed a device in the building to start a fire. The device did not ignite and was found by a Women’s Health Practice employee.
The two men face between 14 and 16 years in prison for their crimes.
Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/federal-jury-convicts-illinois-man-bombing-dar-al-farooq-islamic-center
Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/two-illinois-men-sentenced-prison-their-roles-bombing-dar-al-farooq-islamic-center
A federal grand jury charged two inmates at Thomson Penitentiary in Thompson, Illinois, with hate crimes and related charged in the beating death of a fellow inmate.
According to the indictment, the two men were members of a white supremacist group called the Valhalla Bound Skinheads. Allegedly, the men attacked the victim because he was Jewish. They beat him even after he was unable to defend himself.
Three of the charges, conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree murder, and hate crimes, carry sentences of up to life in prison.
An indictment is a serious accusation. But the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Indictment: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/press-release/file/1453996/download
Press Release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/federal-indictment-charges-two-thomson-penitentiary-inmates-murder-and-hate-crime
News
November 3, 2023
October 15, 2023
June 23, 2023
April 12, 2022
Two Illinois Men Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in 2017 Bombing of Minnesota Islamic Center
December 7, 2021
April 19, 2021
40th Annual National Crime Victims' Rights Week
April 12, 2021
Southern Illinois U.S Attorney's Office and FBI Springfield Call on Public to Report Hate Crimes
December 9, 2020
Federal Jury Convicts Illinois Man for Bombing the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center
January 24, 2019
Resources
The resources below include specific examples, experiences, or information related to Illinois.
Go to the Resources page to access all resources.
Film/Documentary | Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) | Law Enforcement, Public Officials, Victim Advocacy Groups/General Community
Not In Our Town: On the Ground with Law Enforcement
DOJ Offices
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Chicago |
Springfield |
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Central District of Illinois (Springfield) Northern District of Illinois (Chicago) Southern District of Illinois (Fairview Hts.) |
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Midwestern Regional Office |