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Supporting a #StopTheHate campaign, state Sen. Laura Fine,
D-Glenview, was asked about the lack of action from party
leaders in condemning violence, particularly on Illinois college
campuses, where 79 of the state’s 335 antisemitic incidents have
occurred.
“Anti-Semitism undermines the very fabric of our democracy,
dividing communities, normalizing extremism, and giving
permission to violence. We must respond with urgency,” said
Fine. “I know that many people have been silent because they
don't know what to say or do, so I offer you a simple charge.
The way to push back against hate is to communicate with
empathy.”
Fine said to communicate empathy for both Jews and Muslims.
State Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl, D-Northbrook, joined Fine at
Tuesday’s news conference in Springfield.
“We're asking you to join the fight. According to the FBI, 68%
of victims of religious hate crimes in 2023 were Jewish, despite
Jews making up only 2.4% of the U.S. population,” said Katz Muhl.
“That is why we're asking you today to join the Stop the Hate
campaign.”
In 2023, the FBI reported 1,832 anti-Jewish hate crimes and 236
anti-Muslim hate crimes.
University of Illinois Chicago graduate Elias Rodriguez is
accused of shooting two Jewish individuals outside Washington
D.C.'s Capital Jewish Museum last week, prompting Tuesday’s news
conference.
Fine was asked about legislative solutions to rising
antisemitism. House Bill 3023, which would have allowed people
to sue over hate flyers or threats, has stalled and is unlikely
to advance. Fine was not a sponsor of that bill.
“Right now, we're focusing on bringing attention to the issue
statewide and having people sign on to the Stop the Hate
[campaign] so we can get more people aware of the incidents
going on and give people actions that they can do to prevent
future hate from happening,” said Fine.
Some legislators are pushing to repeal a 2015 Illinois law that
penalizes companies boycotting Israel over its Palestinian
policies. Fine was asked about those efforts and if it helps
combat antisemitism. Fine suggested that has nothing to do with
antisemitism.
“That is a different issue, and I'm here to focus on hate and
antisemitism,” said Fine.
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