Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at a news conference in Chicago on Wednesday. [Gov. JB Pritzker/Facebook]   

Illinois is launching a new resource for victims of hate crimes to report incidents and access help.  

The program’s launch comes days after a Jewish man was shot in Chicago and the city’s mayor faces new controversy over his response to the incident as well as past remarks by one of his appointments.  

Gov. JB Pritzker announced the launch of the “Help Stop Hate” service on Wednesday that is designed to create a new way for the state to track and respond to hate crimes, as well as ensure victims of those incidents can access resources. Victims will be able to report incidents at ILStopeHate.org or by calling 877-458-4283. Reports can also be made anonymously. 

“This is one of the most vexing and disturbing issues that I face as governor,” Pritzker said. 

The resource is a symptom of the times, as hate crimes rose to record levels in 2023, including about 400 incidents in Illinois last year.  

“At this moment in our history, when some are condoning hateful violence and rhetoric, I encourage Illinoisians to stand up against it, show up for our communities and report incidents,” Pritzker said. 

Pritzker said he hopes the service will fill in gaps, especially where officials lack data about hate crimes, and will then be able to better respond and direct resources toward prevention. 

“Before we can stop hate, we have to ensure that everyone in our community knows how to recognize it and feels safe to report it,” Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said. “And from there, we start filling in the gaps.” 

The Department of Human Rights is launching a statewide campaign in multiple languages to reach out to communities that are most often targets of the crimes so they are aware of the service.  

The new service arrives as hateful speech and actions have driven the news cycle, including in Chicago. Over the weekend, a Jewish man was shot in West Rogers Park. The gunman has not been charged with a hate crime, but the investigation continues.   

“I am horrified by the possibility that this was motivated by the faith of the victim,” said Pritzker, who is Jewish.   

Other Jewish leaders have been outraged by the shooting. Some are livid with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s response to the shooting in which he called the incident a “tragic event that should have never happened,” but did not mention the victim was Jewish.   

“@chicagomayor just curious…can you say the word Jewwwwish? Cuz it’s missing from your heartfelt statement. No mention of the rampant antisemitism in Chicago? Sad sad sad,” Jewish Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) posted on X.   

At a news conference Wednesday, Johnson acknowledged the victim was "visibly part of the Jewish community."

"I think everybody knows what they saw, but for me to classify it one way or another, you know that would be irresponsible," Johnson said, urging for the investigation to play out.  

They mayor faced more heat Tuesday night after Jewish Insider reported Johnson’s new pick to lead the Chicago Board of Education, Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson, has a history of antisemitic social media posts. Following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Mitchell Ikenna Johnson posted a series of posts on Facebook that included him saying “Nazi Germans’ ideology has been adopted by the Zionist Jews,” announcing support for Hamas in that “people have an absolute right to attack their oppressor by any means necessary,” and that “My Jewish colleagues appear drunk with the Israeli power and will live to see their payment.”  

Jewish state lawmakers responded furious over the appointment, which has already been criticized because Mitchell Ikenna Johnson had been disbarred in Ohio.  

“Someone who cheerleads the kidnapping, rape and murder of innocent civilians — and who ignorantly conflates the Israeli government with Jewish Americans — should not be leading the largest school district in our state,” Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) posted on X.  

Feigenholtz called on Johnson to seek the president’s resignation. 

“Shocked and appalled that the mayor wouldn’t vet someone before he appointed them. Or maybe he did…hmmm. I recommend you ask him to resign. If not, the legislature is likely to do it for you,” Feigenholtz posted on X.  

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Johnson didn’t offer any indication he would seek the president’s resignation and said the president has apparently apologized for his posts.  

“These are not sentiments that I subscribe to,” the mayor said. 

Pritzker said judgement on Mitchell Ikenna Johnson should be reserved until a full picture of his beliefs are available. But Pritzker did judge the mayor’s appointment process.   

“You’re supposed to vet people,” Pritzker said. “Look, can you miss things in peoples’ vets? Sure. But it feels like Facebook posts are pretty easy to find.”  

But Pritzker also had to defend remarks made by President Joe Biden on Tuesday night. After a comedian at a weekend rally held by former President Donald Trump referred to Puerto Rico as an “island of garbage,” Biden responded Tuesday night saying, “the only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.” 

“I don’t think that it was meant in the way that some people have taken it, and I do think that it’s out of an exasperation that there are so many people who, for example, spoke person after person at Madison Square Garden expressing thoughts of hate openly and seemingly proudly,” Pritzker said.