State & Federal Statutes

Illinois Human Rights Act

Illinois law provides for criminal and civil penalties against an individual or individuals who assault, trespass upon, or cause damage to the property of or injure physically or emotionally another person or persons because of such person's race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin.

Read what current state law defines as a hate crime in Illinois, and the penalties for anyone convicted of perpetrating one.

Current state law.

Since 1968, when Congress passed, and President Lyndon Johnson signed into law, the first federal hate crimes statute, the Department of Justice has been enforcing federal hate crimes laws. 

Read more about current federal legislation here.