Panel To Discuss Hate Crime During Cook County Racial Equity Week

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, IL — According to Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton (D-14th District), hate crimes are at their highest level since 1994. Britton calls this "simply unacceptable" and is hosting a hate crime panel on Monday, Sept. 11, during the fifth annual Cook County Racial Equity Week.

The panel, which will run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., will be held at the Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N Elm St., Prospect Heights.

"This panel discussion will provide an important understanding of how a hate crime is handled by Cook County criminal and civil agencies," Britton said. "Perhaps even more importantly, attendees will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to properly report a hate crime and the support services available if ever it was needed."

In 2022, Britton, who resides in Glenview, and a number of residents across the North Shore and Chicagoland received packages of antisemitic letters in their driveways. Soon thereafter, the Cook County United Against Hate campaign was launched.

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The organizers of Monday's panel are hoping to inform residents of what local law enforcement is doing to combat hate crime.

Representatives from the Cook County Sheriff's Office, State's Attorney, and the Department of Human Rights and Ethics will be part of the panel. How hate crimes are investigated, prosecuted, and repaired, if not prevented in the first place, will be discussed.

Interested attendees are invited to register for Monday’s Event: tinyurl.com/HateCrimePanel

Learn more about Cook County United Against Hate here.

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