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Illinois

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 Hate Crime Statistics Case Examples News  

Resources DOJ Offices


Illinois Help Stop Hate

Visit the ILStopHate.org or call (877) 458-HATE to report acts of hate or get support.


2023 Hate Crime Statistics for Illinois*

Bias Motivation Categories by Year

Bias Motivation Category

2021

2022

2023

Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry

70

190

189

Religion

14

68

75

Sexual Orientation

11

75

68

Disability

1

1

2

Gender

2

3

2

Gender Identity

0

9

11

Total:

98

346

347

Types of Crime

Crimes Against Persons26768.8%
Crimes Against Property11830.4%
Crimes Against Society30.8%

Bias Motivation Categories

Race/Ethnicity/Ancestry18954.5%
Religion7521.6%
Sexual Orientation6819.6%
Disability20.6%
Gender20.6%
Gender Identity113.1%

 


*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

March 13, 205

Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism to Visit Leadership of Four Big Cities Rocked by Incidents of Antisemitism


August 2024

Bring United Against Hate Week to Your Community!


November 3, 2023

Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco Delivers Remarks on the Justice Department’s Role in Combating Modern National Security Threats


October 15, 2023

Attorney General Statement on the Killing of Six-Year-Old Child Wadea Al-Fayoume and Severe Wounding of His Mother Hanaan Shahin in Illinois


June 23, 2023

U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Illinois, FBI Raise Awareness on Importance of Reporting Hate Crimes


April 12, 2022

Two Illinois Men Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in 2017 Bombing of Minnesota Islamic Center


December 7, 2021

Federal Indictment Charges Two Thomson Penitentiary Inmates With Murder and Hate Crime in Connection With Death of Fellow Inmate


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

Two Illinois Men Plead Guilty To Bombing Of Islamic Center

 


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

FBI Field Offices
FBI

 

Chicago
2111 W. Roosevelt Road
Chicago, IL 60608

T: 312.421.6700
chicago.fbi.gov
Springfield
900 East Linton Avenue
Springfield, IL 62703

T: 217.522.9675
springfield.fbi.gov

U.S. Attorneys' Offices
DOJ

 

Central District of Illinois (Springfield)
www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/contact-us

Northern District of Illinois (Chicago)
www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/contact-us

Southern District of Illinois (Fairview Hts.)
www.justice.gov/usao-sdil/contact-us


 

CRS Regional Offices
CRS

 

Midwestern Regional Office
230 South Dearborn Street
Room 2130
Chicago, IL 60604

T: 312.353.4391
F: 312.353.4390
askcrs@usdoj.gov
Updated March 17, 2025