Office of the City Clerk - Record #: R2017-460

• Record #: R2017-460
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• Intro date: 6/19/2017
• Current Controlling Legislative Body: Committee on Human Relations
• Final action: 6/28/2017
• Title: Call on Governor Bruce Rauner to sign into law House Bill 3711 and restore Illinois State Hate Crimes Commission
• Sponsors: Dowell, Pat, Reboyras, Ariel, Hopkins, Brian , Ervin, Jason C., Moore, David H., Smith, Michele, Solis, Daniel

Date	Journal Page Number	Action By	Action	Result
6/28/2017	51331	City Council	Adopted	Pass
6/19/2017		Committee on Human Relations	Add Co-Sponsor(s)
6/19/2017		Committee on Human Relations	Recommended to Pass	Pass
6/19/2017		Committee on Human Relations	Direct Introduction

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The City of Chicago is home to a diverse range of persons of various national origin, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Hate crimes against such persons and communities in the City have risen at an alarming rate of twenty percent in 2016, reaching the highest frequency in five years; and

WHEREAS, The City seeks to protect the lives and property of its residents in its own capacity and by promoting the safety of those groups throughout our State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, The increase in hate crimes must be addressed through a statewide, multifaceted approach; and

WHEREAS, An active Illinois State Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes serves an important role in combatting these discriminatory, unlawful acts; and

WHEREAS, Governor Rauner has not yet appointed persons to fill the twenty vacant positions required for a fully functioning Commission; and

WHEREAS, The restoration of the Commission is vital in bringing community leaders and advocates together to work toward solutions to reverse the troublesome trend of hate crimes in the State of Illinois and the City; and

WHEREAS, Legislation strengthening the current hate crimes law passed in the State of Illinois 100th General Assembly, in the form of House Bill 3711, and awaits the Governor's signature; and

WHEREAS, House Bill 3711 expands the reach of protection from hate crimes, provides the Attorney General with civil enforcement authority, ensures all victims of hate crimes a civil remedy, and allows judges to impose civil penalties, bolstering the effect of the Illinois Hate Crimes Act; and

WHEREAS, This legislative effort provides adequate protection and appropriate remedies for victims, while creating measures to deter the engagement in such acts, which furthers the mission of decreasing incidences of hate crimes; and

WHEREAS, The restoration of the Commission and the enactment of House Bill 3711 are neces...