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"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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