Bill Text: IL HR0194 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Condemns the acts of harassment and violence that have been committed recently against Jews, Muslims, refugees, LGBTQ, and communities of color.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-05-16 - Resolution Adopted [HR0194 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HR0194-Introduced.html

---

HR0194 LRB100 11776 MST 22991 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, There has been a dramatic increase of incidents
targeting minority populations all over the United States, with
repeated rhetoric and harassment of Jews, Muslims, refugees,
LGBTQ, and communities of color, creating a climate of
pervasive fear and anxiety; and
WHEREAS, Over the last two months in Illinois and
throughout the United States, there has been a dramatic
increase in crimes of hate directed at Jews and Muslims,
including acts of desecration; and
WHEREAS, The JCC Association of North America reports over
160 Jewish Community Centers and Jewish day schools in the
United States and Canada have received bomb threats in the last
two months; and
WHEREAS, In January alone, over 48 Jewish Community Centers
in 27 states received bomb threats and, on February 27, there
were 31 incidents of bomb threats called into 23 JCCs and eight
Jewish day schools in Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware,
Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, New
York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia,
Washington State, and Calgary (Canada); and

HR0194 - 2 - LRB100 11776 MST 22991 r
WHEREAS, Five waves of reported threats have been recorded,
and in the last wave, 100 incidents were recorded at 81
locations (inclusive of JCCs and Jewish day schools) in 33
states and two Canadian provinces, including two Jewish
Community Centers in Illinois, in Hyde Park and Lake Zurich;
and
WHEREAS, Two Jewish cemeteries, located in St. Louis,
Missouri and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were vandalized, with
headstones overturned, crumbled and destroyed, and swastikas
written on graves; and
WHEREAS, Jewish agencies were also being targeted, with two
recorded bomb threats called into the Anti-Defamation League
headquarters in the New York City, New York and San Francisco,
California regional offices, both of which were evacuated; and
WHEREAS, The Loop Synagogue in downtown Chicago was the
target of vandalism; the suspect, who has been arrested, broke
a window and placed swastikas on the door of the synagogue; and
WHEREAS, Swastikas were found in the men's bathroom at the
Northbrook Public Library, a frequent occurrence since
November of 2016; and
WHEREAS, A swastika was found carved into a bench at the

HR0194 - 3 - LRB100 11776 MST 22991 r
Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, which welcomes
and educates about 1,000 students and staff and members of the
general public each day; and
WHEREAS, The FBI reported 5,818 hate crimes in 2015, up by
6% over the previous year, and with anti-Muslim hate crimes up
by 67%; and
WHEREAS, The State of Illinois remains committed to
religious freedom and the full protection of the United States
and Illinois Constitutions for all people, and will fight
vigorously to defend against any actions to the contrary; and
WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes an assault on any
one race, religion, or culture is an assault on all, and
condemns racism, xenophobia, homophobia, Islamophobia,
anti-Semitism, and all other forms of hate, and is committed to
honor and protect all Illinois residents, regardless of race,
ethnicity, religion, immigration status, and all other
communities targeted by such hateful and disturbing acts; and
WHEREAS, The United States of America has a proud history
of accepting its residents, regardless of ethnic origins,
religious affiliation, or country of origin, and for fighting
against intolerance, bigotry, evil, violence, and segregation;
therefore, be it

HR0194 - 4 - LRB100 11776 MST 22991 r
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
condemn these evil acts of fearmongering and desecration, that
we will respond to these despicable actions with swift and
decisive conviction and action, provide full support to the
victims, and join in partnership with law enforcement and other
State agencies to denounce further evil acts to combat any
future threats based on hate to all in the great State of
Illinois; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
delivered to Governor Bruce Rauner, Attorney General Lisa
Madigan, the Director of the Illinois State Police, and all 102
States' Attorneys in the State of Illinois.