Anti-Semitism on the rise across the state

Posted on April 16, 2024
David Goldenberg (middle), Midwest director of the Anti-Defamation League spoke during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Anti-Semitism is not just going up in Illinois – it’s going up and up, according to the organization which keeps track.

David Goldenberg, Midwest director of the Anti-Defamation League, presented the annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents to a statehouse news conference Tuesday.

“Last year, the 121 anti-Semitic incidents ADL reported in Illinois was a watershed moment. I hoped it would have been an anomaly, but I was wrong,” said Goldenberg. “ADL reported 211 incidents of anti-Semitic assault, vandalism, and harassment in 2023. This is a staggering 74 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents in Illinois compared to just one year ago.”

A Jewish member of the General Assembly said the problem is pronounced in her district, which includes Skokie and the Holocaust Museum.

“Since Oct. 7,” when Israel began its war on Hamas, said State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview), “my community has been on edge. I am constantly hearing from families saying that their children are afraid to go to school simply because they are Jewish.

“How do you explain this to a child?”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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