The City of Chicago is proud of its diverse population. Its residents mirror nearly every race, religion, nationality, and culture in the world.

Unfortunately, there are individuals and hate groups who would disrespect this diversity by committing crimes or acts targeting individuals or groups based on an actual or perceived hate due to race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or gender. These crimes or acts are known as Hate Crimes or Hate Incidents.

The Chicago Police Department’s response to hate crimes involves many Divisions working together. The Civil Rights section is primarily responsible for the investigation of reported hate crimes. Working in conjunction with the Detective Division, Patrol Division, and Youth Division, reported hate crimes are investigated in a timely manner and attempts are made to arrest all persons alleged to have violated the rights of others. When arrests are made, all information relative to the investigation is presented to the Felony Review Unit of the Cook County States Attorney’s Office for further review and approval of charges.

In addition to enforcement responsibilities, the Civil Rights Section is responsible for the documentation and distribution of hate crime statistical data displayed in the Chicago Police Annual Hate Crime Report, and the F.B.I. Yearly Statistical Report in compliance with the Federal Hate Crime Statistics Act. Members of the Civil Rights Section also regularly speak on hate crime matters at CAPS meetings, community meetings, religious congregational meetings, and at other organizational event upon request.

Hate Crimes

A hate crime is any attempted or actual criminal act, as defined by state statute, perpetrated on a person or persons, due to the victims actual or perceived race, color, creed, ancestry, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or gender.
The following are examples of hate crimes:

  • Criminal acts which inflict injury regardless of severity.
  • Threats of bodily harm or violence that look like they can be carried out.
  • Criminal acts which result in property damage.
  • Any criminal act or attempted criminal act directed against public or private agencies, schools, churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, or religious institutions.

Hate Incidents

Hate incidents are non-criminal actions by any person or group, directed toward the person or property of another, due to a victims race, color, creed, ancestry, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or gender.
The following are examples of hate incidents:

  • The circulation of offensive printed material, handwritten material, or drawings placed on lawns, porches, stairways, automobiles, vestibules or in mailboxes.
  • Offensive communication from one person to another such as insults, jeers, signs, and body language that does not constitute a criminal act.

Community Liaisons

The Chicago Police Department has expanded its Civil Rights Unit to include new community liaisons to help support various communities across Chicago. These liaisons are dedicated to working closely with Chicago’s diverse communities to provide vital resources and support to them. With these news liaisons, the Chicago Police Department hopes to establish strong and collaborative partnerships that result in positive outcomes.

Immigrant Outreach Liaison

The Chicago Police Department has appointed an Immigrant Outreach Liaison Officer who works closely with Chicago’s immigrant and refugee community to support and assist them in whatever way they need.

Officer Rafael Yanez: [email protected] or (312) 745-5283

LGBTQ+ Liaisons

The Chicago Police Department is committed to strengthening the partnership with our LGBTQ+ communities to ensure all residents feel safe within their communities regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. These liaisons are dedicated to working with LGBTQ+ individuals and allies who may need assistance in reporting a crime or hate crime, seeking supportive resources, looking to engage on various reforms, and any other needs the community may have.

To contact one of the LGBTQ+ Liaisons, please call (312) 745-5283

Citywide LGBTQ+ Liaison – Bernard Escamilla: [email protected]

Area 1 LGBTQ+ Liaison – Phoebe Flores: [email protected]

Area 2 LGBTQ+ Liaison – TBD

Area 3 LGBTQ+ Liaison – Matthew Schlagel: [email protected]

Area 4 LGBTQ+ Liaison – Zaida Sanabia: [email protected]

Area 5 LGBTQ+ Liaison – Megan Woods: [email protected]