Governor JB Pritzker has announced the official launch of Help Stop Hate, a confidential service that provides support and resources to people and communities affected by hate. This was in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes.
Help Stop Hate will provide support to victims and witnesses of hate acts in reporting what happened and connecting them and their communities to other resources.
The service is free, confidential, and not affiliated with law enforcement.
Reports can be made online or through the phone in seven different languages.
Following the launch of the programs there will be a statewide campaign to support access to the service. The campaign will focus on reaching people and communities most frequently targeted by hate.
Hate crimes often go unreported as people don't want to call the police and this programs aims to fill that gap. The Illinois Department on Discrimination and Hate Crimes will share anonymized data with state and federal partners to identify where attention is most needed.
Governor Pritzker says that denouncing hate itself is not enough.
"We, those we stand against hate, those who stand by our neighbors, and those who stand up for a free and inclusive Illinois must take action." says Governor Pritzker.
For more information on the program or to report instances of hate, visit ILStopHate.org
