Sente-Sponsored Legislation Aims To Reduce Hate Crimes

Legislation sponsored by State Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) requiring individuals convicted of a hate crime to enroll in an educational course that is designed to discourage violence based on prejudice was recently signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn. 

“It is important that we work to combat the intolerance that causes hate crimes,” Sente said. “The perpetrators of hate crimes should be punished, but just as important we must strive to educate individuals as a way to prevent future crimes. These classes are a positive step toward fighting intolerance and reducing hate crimes.”

Senate Bill 1708 requires an individual who has been convicted of causing damage to property consisting of religious fixtures or objects to take educational classes to discourage hate crimes. The classes are in addition to any other punishment that comes with a conviction and are authorized to be administered by a university, college, community college, non-profit organization or the Holocaust and Genocide Commission.

Currently, if a sentence of probation or conditional discharge is entered upon a conviction for a hate crime, the offender must only perform at least 200 hours of public or community service in the county where the hate crime was committed. 

“We need to get to the source of the problems in order to better police and eliminate these terrible crimes,” Sente said. “I hope that with this new law we are able to fight bigotry and prejudice through education.  If we can prevent even one future hate crime, we are making great progress.”

— Submitted by the office of Carol Sente