* From HB1187…

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is authorized to make grants to not-for-profit organizations which are exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code for eligible security improvements that assist the organization in preventing, preparing for, or responding to threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism.

To be eligible for a grant under the program, the Agency must determine that the organization is at a high risk of being subject to threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism based on the organization’s profile, ideology, mission, or beliefs. Eligible security improvements shall include all eligible preparedness activities under the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program, including, but not limited to, physical security upgrades, security training exercises, preparedness training exercises, contracting with security personnel, and any other security upgrades deemed eligible by the Director.

* Sen. Villivalam and Rep. Olickal sent this letter to IEMA…

Secretary Alicia Tate-Nadeau,

First, we would like to extend our appreciation to you, the members of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, for your leadership and dedication in keeping Illinois families safe every day, but especially in emergency situations.

Today, we are writing specifically with regard to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

We are honored to have voted for a $20 million appropriation for this IEMA-OHS grant program in the Fiscal Year ‘24 budget.

Additionally, with the collaboration of IEMA-OHS and a coalition of community organizations, we voted for, and Governor Pritzker signed, House Bill 1187. The legislation expands the eligibility of this IEMA-OHS grant program to include organizations that are at a high risk of being subject to prior or current threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism based on the organization’s profile, ideology, mission, or beliefs.

As the state senator and state representative for the districts that likely have the highest concentrations of Jewish and Muslim populations in the state, we have heard the pain, anxiety, frustration and concern for safety in the voices and writings of our constituents.

Many of the organizations that are eligible for this IEMA-OHS grant program, including houses of worship, are places of safe refuge for our constituents.

We have two requests that we feel will provide some of our constituents assistance, given the volatile situation in the Middle East and recent hate crime activity:

1. It is our understanding that organizations were awarded these grants from the FY23 budget. We request the funding release of these awarded grants as soon as possible.

2. It is our understanding that the grant process for this program under the FY24 appropriation has not commenced. Given the safety concerns outlined above, we request the timeline for this process be expedited.

Again, we are incredibly grateful for all of the work you do and for our partnership.

Sincerely,

State Senator Ram Villivalam
State Representative Kevin Olickal

…Adding… Alex Gough with the governor’s office…

Hi Rich,

Wanted to let you know that earlier this week applicants for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program were sent a communication about next steps. Director Tate-Nadeau also responded to Sen. Villivalam and Rep. Olickal yesterday thanking them and indicating this.

* Meanwhile, background is here if you need it. From the Tribune…

An employee of the Illinois comptroller’s office was fired Thursday after the office learned she had made antisemitic comments during an exchange on social media. […]

Postings on social media identify the employee as Sarah Chowdhury, who worked as a legal counsel for the comptroller’s office.

Reached by telephone, Chowdhury told the Tribune she was “extremely” sorry for the “inappropriate and reprehensible” comments, apologizing to the person with whom she had the heated exchange and anyone who read her comments.

She said she was distraught over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and grew frustrated by the way the conflict was being covered by the media and discussed through social media platforms.

Too late.

* Isabel did a related roundup…

* The Hill | Illinois man accused of hate crime after allegedly threatening to shoot two Muslim men: During the incident, York reportedly “approached” a vehicle in which one of the victims was waiting for his friend at an apartment complex before he “asked the victim what he was doing there and then began swearing at the man and telling him he did not belong in this country and to leave.”

* AP | Illinois boy killed in alleged hate crime remembered as kind, playful as suspect appears in court: A 6-year-old Palestinian American boy who authorities allege was stabbed 26 times by his landlord in response to escalating right-wing rhetoric on the Israel-Hamas war was being remembered as a kind child, while multiple authorities investigate the attack that has become a symbol of larger struggles with hate crime in the U.S.

* Patch | IL Holocaust Museum Addresses Hate Crime Stabbing Of Wadea Al-Fayoume: “Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center mourns the death of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy who was murdered last weekend in Chicagoland,” museum officials said. “Wadea and his mother were targeted by their landlord just because of who they are. Their attacker was reportedly spurred on by the vicious language used across media to dehumanize Palestinians,” their statement continued.

* WIFR | Local mosque speaks out against hate crimes in Illinois: Imam of the Muslim Association of Greater Rockford, Dr. Mohamed Elgobashy explains he was terrified and sad to learn about the Plainfield tragedy, devastated that a child had to pay the price for something the child had nothing to do with. He says people cannot protect themselves from hate crimes alone, they need the help of political leaders.

* Journal and Topics | Illinois State Police Urge Vigilance, Awareness Against Violence, Hate Crimes: “Everyone in Illinois — both law enforcement and community members alike — must remain on guard against both terrorism and hate crimes during this period of volatility,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “If you see something, say something, before it’s too late.”

* NBC Chicago | Hate on the rise in Illinois, new report finds: Anti-Semitic incidents have risen dramatically in recent years. In 2022, the number of incidents increased by 128% from the previous year, rising from 53 to 121. There has been a 430% increase since 2016.

* NPR | 4 key takeaways from the FBI’s annual crime report: Last year, there were more than 11,000 reported hate crimes, which are motivated by certain aspects of a victim’s identity, including race, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity. Black people, Jewish people and gay men were the most likely to be targeted.

* The Hill | FBI crime statistics show anti-LGBTQ hate crimes on the rise: Hate crimes targeting LGBTQ people were up significantly compared to 2021, with 622 reported single-bias anti-LGBTQ hate crimes. Hate crimes motivated by an anti-transgender bias rose more than 35 percent year-over-year, reaching 338 incidents.