Crime & Traffic

A hate crime is when someone commits a crime because of another person's actual or perceived identity. It must include a criminal act, such as assault, and evidence of bias towards a protected characteristic, such as:

• Race,
• Color,
• Creed,
• Religion,
• Ancestry,
• Gender,
• Sexual orientation,
• National origin,
• Physical or mental disability,
• Citizenship, or
• Immigration status.

Call 911 or your local police station if you are the victim of a hate crime or a witness to a hate crime. Ask to file a police report, and tell the police why you believe the crime was hate-motivated. For example, what words, actions, symbols, or other signs did you see or hear during the offense? Make sure to collect evidence like:

• Names,
• Witness phone numbers and addresses,
• Photographs, and
• Videos.

Examples of hate crimes

Any of the following may be a hate crime if it is motivated by someone's actual or perceived identity: 

• Assault,
• Battery,
• Aggravated assault,
• Intimidation,
• Stalking,
• Cyberstalking,
• Misdemeanor theft,
• Criminal trespass to residence,
• Misdemeanor criminal damage to property,
• Criminal trespass to vehicle,
• Criminal trespass to real property,
• Mob action,
• Disorderly conduct,
• Transmission of obscene messages,
• Harassment by telephone, or
• Harassment through electronic communications.

Hate crimes can result in additional penalties, including increased sentences, additional fines or restitution, and upgraded felony charges. The victim of a hate crime can also bring a civil lawsuit for actual and punitive damages against the person who committed the crime.

Reporting hate crimes and other resources

Call 911 
If you think you have experienced a hate crime, call 911 or contact your local police department. Tell law enforcement that you think you have been the victim of a hate crime.

Illinois Attorney General's Hate Crime Report / Civil Rights Hotline
(877) 581-3692
Anyone in the state of Illinois can call this hotline for help with hate crimes. Translation services are available upon request. You can also report hate crimes, discrimination, or harassment online. If you have questions, you may email the Civil Rights Bureau staff at [email protected] or call the hotline. 

See the Illinois Attorney General Hate Crimes Fact Sheet for more information. 

Cook County Sheriff’s Discrimination Hotline
(773) 674-4357
Call this hotline to report a hate crime if you live in Cook County. If you feel you're being threatened or targeted, use the hotline to get a direct response from the sheriff’s office. They will help connect callers to detectives and other groups such as legal aid.

Chicago Police Department’s Civil Rights Unit
This unit looks into reports of hate crimes in Chicago. If you believe you're a victim of a hate crime, call 911 immediately and report the crime to the Chicago Police Department. Tell them you believe you are a victim of a hate crime. This is very important. Once a hate incident is reported, the police will decide if it was a hate crime.

Contact your local Human Relations Commission
To find your local human relations commission, go online and search for "human relations commission + your city."

In Chicago, call the Chicago Commission on Human Relations at (312) 744-4874 or (312) 744-2571 for help reporting a hate crime.

CARPLS' Legal Aid Hotline
(312) 738-9200
Contact CARPLS if you want free legal help with a hate crime in Chicago. You can get help with the criminal court process or filing a civil lawsuit against the offender. Call CARPLS' confidential hotline if you experienced a hate crime or want information on how to combat hate crimes.