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Hate Incidents and Bias-Motivated Harassment
Whether you've experienced a hate crime, civil rights violation, or bias-motivated harassment, Help Stop Hate is a confidential service that fosters healing while making Illinois safer and more inclusive for all. From this page you can report what happened and find vital resources.
Understanding Hate: Three Types of Hate Incidents
While you are encouraged to report any experience of hate, there are different kinds of hateful acts and protections are available.
Hate Crimes
Targeting based on your identity could be a hate crime.
Examples of hate crimes:
- Physical assault motivated by your race, religion, or sexual orientation
- Vandalism of property with hate symbols or messages
- Threats of violence because of your identity
- Stalking or harassment based on protected characteristics
- Sending threatening messages targeting your identity
Civil Rights Violations
Some acts may not be crimes, but they violate your right to equal opportunity and human rights.
Examples of civil rights violations:
- Discrimination in employment, housing, or services based on your identity
- Sexual harassment in the workplace, school, or housing
- Denial of equal access to public accommodations
- Retaliation for reporting discrimination
- Unequal treatment in education or lending
Your options:
You can file a charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights for civil rights violations.
Hateful, but Legal
Many hateful acts may be protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This includes actions like using racial or ethnic slurs, imitating someone with a disability, or mocking someone's culture. Threats of violence and intimidation, however, may be hate crimes.
Important: Even if an act of hate is protected speech, it can still have serious impacts on you and your community. We encourage you to report it so we can connect you with resources and track incidents in Illinois.
Protected Identities
Acts of hate target people based on their actual or perceived:
- Race
- Color
- Creed
- Religion
- Ancestry
- Gender
- Sexual orientation
- Physical or mental disability
- Citizenship
- Immigration status
- National origin
These aspects of identity are legally protected classes under Illinois law.
Why Report Hate?
You Get Support and Resources
When you report an act of hate, we can help you access the right resources, such as:
- Physical and mental healthcare
- Trauma support
- Victim advocacy services
- Legal aid
Your Report Makes a Difference
Your report provides information that helps us to track hate, which affects how our state directs resources, grows funding, and drives better policy.
You Send a Message
Reporting hate sends a clear message to both offenders and impacted communities: hate will not be tolerated in Illinois.
How to Report Hate
You can report hate incidents in two ways:
Or call
877-458-HATE (4283)