New laws signed to protect Illinoisans from discrimination and hate crimes

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[JULY 1, 2005]  CHICAGO -- On Sunday, Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed into law two bills that will further protect residents from hate crimes. Provisions of the legislation reinforce guarantees against discrimination in housing and extend current legislation to shield individuals from harassment through electronic communication.

"A hate crime is a hate crime in any way, shape or form," Blagojevich said. "Every person has the right to dignity under the law. Today, I'm signing two bills to bolster equality and fairness in Illinois."

House Bill 917 will make it a civil violation to coerce, intimidate, threaten or interfere with an individual's rights to fair housing. Current law prohibits retaliation against a person who has filed a complaint or participated in discrimination proceedings before the Illinois Department of Human Rights or the Human Rights Commission and prohibits interference with those two entities. This new law protects individuals from interference in housing transactions and protects them from discriminatory actions, including racial slurs and hate crimes.

Sponsored by Rep. Karen Yarbrough, D-Broadview, and Sen. Carol Ronen, D-Chicago, House Bill 917 would make discrimination in housing transactions against minorities, the elderly and all individuals protected under the act a civil rights violation. Additionally, this law would make it a civil rights violation for an employer to discharge an employee who rents housing to a minority family. The Department of Human Rights, which administers the Illinois Human Rights Act, received 4,000 complaints of discrimination in 2004 alone.

"This law puts a stake in the heart of racism and discrimination that Illinois families face when they want to buy and live in a home of their choice," Yarbrough said. "Families will now be able to live and work in safe neighborhoods and raise their kids without fear."

"It's about maintaining the dignity and inalienable rights of every Illinoisan," Ronen said. "Now people will think twice before making racially charged remarks against their neighbors. I applaud the governor for signing more civil protections for the people into law."

In addition to Department of Human Rights, organizations that supported this legislation include the National Organization for Women, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Community Behavior Healthcare Association and Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing.

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"We are pleased that HB 917 will strengthen and broaden the Illinois Human Rights Act, protecting individuals from interference and intimidation in the enjoyment of their home," said Kathleen Clark, executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing. "This is an important step for the Illinois Department of Human Rights in becoming substantially equivalent to the federal Fair Housing Act."

The second bill signed Sunday, Senate Bill 287, which was supported by the Illinois Chiefs of Police, the Illinois State Police and the Anti-Defamation League, extends hate crime legislation and amends the criminal code to include aggravation through electronic communication.

Sponsored by Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, and Sen. Ira I. Silverstein, D-Chicago, Senate Bill 287 makes it a hate crime to use electronic communications to harass or threaten someone because of their race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability. In addition, the bill provides that a hate crime is committed when an individual interrupts, with the intent to harass, the telephone service or electronic communication service of another person.

"This legislation confirms our continued dedication to fighting discrimination in Illinois," Silverstein said. "A hate crime, in any form, is absolutely unacceptable in our state."

"This new provision makes good on our commitment to protecting dignity and extending justice for all Illinoisans," Lang said. "I thank the governor for signing this bill and strengthening this promise to our citizens."

House Bill 917 becomes effective Jan. 1, 2006. Senate Bill 287 becomes effective immediately.

[News release from the governor's office]

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