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2024 Information Sessions: Hate Crimes Training for Law Enforcement
About this information session:
This free and virtual informational session will be presented multiple times, and each session will include:
A presentation about the Illinois Attorney General’s new, specialized training;
An explanation of SB 3552, a bill to mandate hate crimes training for all Illinois law enforcement officers; and,
Comments from a law enforcement officer.
The CDHC’s recommendation: In 2022, after a year of study, the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes released a set of recommendations. Among them was the following recommendation: Mandate comprehensive hate crimes basic and in-service training module for local law enforcement agencies through the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board (“ILETSB”) in consultation with the Commission. In collaboration with bar associations and related organizations, develop and offer hate crimes continuing legal education course for State’s Attorneys, Assistant State’s Attorneys, other lawyers, and judges.
The AG’s training: The Office of the Illinois Attorney General received funding through the United States Department of Justice’s Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program to provide specialized hate crime training to law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys in Illinois. First conducted in late 2023, the training educates officers on how to recognize and report hate crimes and incidents, address the needs of victims, and build community trust.