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 necessary steps toward ensuring the welfare and safety of marginalized groups and the security of all residents of the City; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-eighth day of June, 2017, do hereby urge the
Governor to restore the Illinois State Hate Crimes Commission and sign House Bill 3711 into law; and
Pat Dowell
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Governor of the State of Illinois as a sign of our commitment to combatting the issue of hate crimes in our communities.
Chicago City Council Co-Sponsor Addition/Change
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Principal Sponsor
Final copies to be filed with:
Chairman of Committee to which legislation was referred
City Clerk