HR0194 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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

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 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

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.