Agencies
Services
Acts of hate target people based on their actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin.
What Is Hate?
While we hope you will report any experience of hate, there are differences in how hateful acts are defined.
There are three types of hate incidents
Hate Crimes
Hate crimes are crimes and motivated in part by bias against a protected class. Physical assaults, harassment through writing or speech, stalking someone in-person or online, sending obscene messages, or trespassing on or damaging property are all crimes. When the offender targets you because of your identity, it could be a hate crime.
Civil Rights Violations
These acts of hateful bias may not be crimes, but they violate your right to equal opportunity and human rights. If you experience discrimination, sexual harassment, or retaliation related to your employment, housing, access to credit, public accommodations, or education—because of your identity—that's a hate-based violation of your civil rights.
Hateful, but Legal
Many expressions of hate may be protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Examples may include using racial or ethnic slurs, imitating someone with a disability, or mocking someone’s culture. Expressions of hate that include threats of violence and intimidation, however, may constitute hate crimes.
Trust your inner voice. Please report any act of hate you've experienced or witnessed, regardless of whether it appears above.
State & Federal Statutes
Illinois provides important protections against discrimination.