Illinois seeks to bolster training to combat hate crimes

Posted on April 11, 2017

Gov. Bruce Rauner has announced a new effort to help police identify and prosecute hate crimes. (Photo courtesy Facebook/IOCI Media Services)

By WJBC Staff

SPRINGFIELD – State and local police in Illinois will receive training on dealing with hate crimes as part of the state’s effort to fight intolerance.

Illinois State Police is working with the Anti-Defamation League to update curriculum at the state police academy. Gov. Bruce Rauner said that will include strategies for identifying and investigating hate crimes.

“These crimes are pernicious, they have wide-ranging effects beyond the initial act themselves and we need to be very proactive in identifying these crimes and prosecuting them for what they are, truly hate crimes,” Rauner said.

The league’s Jessica Gall said the training will bolster the relationship between communities and law enforcement.

“Hate crimes and hate incidents have unique and devastating impact in our communities and by training first responders to identify, investigate and appropriately respond to these types of crimes will only serve to strengthen the relationships that law enforcement has in our community,” Gall said.

Rauner said his office is also working with lawmakers to increase the penalties for hate crimes and improve anti-hate education for Illinois school children.

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