Rauner seeks to stop hate crimes

Posted on March 9, 2017

By WJBC Staff

CHICAGO – Gov. Bruce Rauner is announcing new plans to step up the state’s efforts to fight hate crimes.

Rauner detailed the initiatives at a dinner hosted by the Illinois Holocaust Museum. He said we live in turbulent times, citing recent acts of hatred like cemetery vandalism and bomb threats at a Jewish day school in Chicago. He noted the recent increase in anti-semitic violence and said more needs to to be done that includes more education in schools.

“We are now developing a comprehensive curriculum and teaching aids and training for our public school teachers throughout Illinois so we will comprehensively teach about the Holocaust and genocide to our young people here in Illinois,” Rauner said.

Rauner also wants a statewide law enforcement training program on responding to hate crimes, and tougher laws for acts of vandalism and violence against churches and religious centers.

“This bill will also make certain that before parole or pardon can be granted for crimes of hate, community service and education about the Holocaust and genocide is part of any program,” Rauner said.

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