Hate Crimes Up 125% In IL, Study Says

ILLINOIS — Illinois had the largest rise in hate crimes in the country from 2021 to 2022, according to a recent study.

Personal injury attorney Gruber Law Offices examined data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System and Summary Reporting System, which was voluntarily submitted to the FBI, to identify changes in the number of hate crimes year-over-year in each state.

Illinois saw a 125 percent rise in hate crimes, going from 149 in 2021 to 319 in 2022, according to the ranking. The state with the second-highest increase in hate crimes was Delaware with a 78 percent rise from nine to 16, followed by Virginia with a 50 percent spike of 121 to 182.

Hate crime figures nationwide remained largely unchanged from year to year, according to attorney David Gruber.

“The best way to challenge hate crime is to take a multifaceted approach and involve all areas of society,” Gruber said in a news release. “Education is the first step to addressing hate crime, as equipping individuals with the understanding of what defines a hate crime, and the awareness of how to report one, will help ensure that all hate crime is dealt with in an appropriate manner.”

Alaska had the biggest decrease in hate crimes, dropping from 20 in 2021 to five in 2022 for a 75 percent decline. North Dakota had the second-largest decrease with a 54 percent change of 37 hate crimes to 17, and Louisiana was third with 48 percent fewer hate crimes, dropping from 124 to 65.