SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker stood alongside state leaders and members of the Arab American Bar Association of Illinois Monday to denounce recent hate crimes. State lawmakers are also trying to ensure faith groups are protected with more security.

Pritzker said Illinois has seen an alarming increase in anti-Arabism, Islamophobia and antisemitism in the past two weeks. 

"Synagogues, mosques, and places of worship have been vandalized and desecrated," Pritzker said. "Palestinians, Arabs, and Jews from Chicago to Dearborn to New York City are fielding threats left and right."

The governor noted that online hatred has also skyrocketed across social media. Pritzker said he is genuinely concerned for peoples' personal safety as threats often transform into violence.

"Hate has no home here in Illinois. It's a phrase I've used time and time again," Pritzker explained. "But hate always has an insidious way of trying to move in if we let it. So, we must stand together to reject it."

Pritzker and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle believe Illinoisans should reject the notion that Muslims, Jews or Palestinians are responsible for the war in the Middle East.

Pritzker hate crimes

Gov. JB Pritzker spoke alongside Attorney General Kwame Raoul and members of the Arab American Bar Association of Illinois on October 23, 2023.

"We need to condemn terrorism and terrorist attacks," said Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). "We need to condemn hate crimes. We need to find a way to unify our communities. There is no question that we are stronger together."

Villivalam is the lead sponsor of a law taking effect January 1 that will allow the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security to provide funding to faith organizations so they can implement additional security measures. The law expands eligibility for the IEMA-OHS grant program to include groups at high risk of threats, attacks or acts of terrorism based on the organization's profile, ideology, mission or beliefs.

Villivalam said it is critical that organizations awarded grants receive the funding as soon as possible. Rep. Kevin Olickal (D-Skokie) joined Villivalam in writing a letter to IEMA Secretary Alicia Tate-Nadeau requesting the grant funding be released to awardees with appropriations from the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

Olickal and Villivalam also noted that the grant process for the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriation has not started despite lawmakers approving $20 million to help those organizations in May. 

"I look forward to working with the department to get the funds out and make sure that our community members feel safe as they walk and as they congregate in our society," Villivalam said.

The senator explained Secretary Tate-Nadeau quickly responded to their letter and noted that applicants for the nonprofit security grant program received information about the next steps to receive funding. 

The Attorney General's office and Illinois Department of Human Rights are also helping anyone harassed or attacks in hate crimes. If you or anyone you know have been victims of hate crimes, call 1-877-581-3692 or email civilrights@ilag.gov. 

"The law here in the state of Illinois does not tolerate hate," said Attorney General Kwame Raoul. "As the chief legal officer, nor will I."

As lawmakers return to Springfield Tuesday, Villivalam is also optimistic that he can gain bipartisan support for a plan to require Illinois public schools, state facilities and the University of Illinois hospital to offer kosher and halal food options. His proposal passed out of the General Assembly this spring, but Pritzker vetoed the legislation due to technical issues. Villivalam said those issues have been resolved and he expects to see the bill back on the governor's desk soon.

"This can help us make sure people have access to healthy and culturally appropriate food options," Villivalam said. "That's important because it will allow them to see themselves, feel included, and ensure that there are still ways for them to be connected to their religion, language, culture and heritage as they assimilate to our society." 

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