Illinois Bill for Mandatory Hate Crime Training

Advocates in Illinois are urging the state legislature to pass a bill mandating hate crime training for police officers, in response to a significant increase in hate crimes. FBI data reveals a 362% rise in reported hate crimes in Illinois from 2019 to 2023. Despite existing laws, many hate crimes go unreported or are misclassified, partly due to mistrust of law enforcement and a lack of officer training. The proposed bill, which has already passed the Illinois Senate unanimously, aims to address these issues by requiring training every three years. Supporters argue this will help officers better identify and investigate hate crimes, with the goal of fostering trust and reducing underreporting. The bill awaits a vote in the Illinois House during the January legislative session.