Hate crime reports in Chicago surge, particularly targeting Jewish and Black people, data shows

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Hate crimes are on the rise in Chicago. That was the take-away from a new report out from Chicago's Commission on Human Relations, presented to the budget committee Thursday.

Now, the city is looking at how the commission, police and council members can best help the marginalized communities who are under increasing attack.

The fear runs deep through some of Chicago's most prominent communities: Black, Asian, LGBTQ+, and Jewish.

"It is very scary for us. We've always known that we are a target and my community is always on high alert," said Ald. Debra Silverstein, 50th Ward.

New numbers from Chicago's Commission on Human Relations prove that fear is statistically warranted.

"Thus far in 2022, reported hate crimes are on the rise, particularly those based on race and religion with Blacks at 50% and Jews 75%," said Nancy Andrade, the chair for Commission on Human Relations.

At the start of the year, synagogues in West Rogers Park were vandalized with swastikas and hate symbols, and prosecutors charged a man with screaming anti-Semitic threats at Jewish people.

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Those were just two of 26 instances of Anti-Jewish crimes reported to Chicago police this year, according to police data reviewed by ABC7.

During the pandemic, Asian Americans faced increased incidents of bias-related attacks.

Data shows eight of the 125 total hate crimes being investigated by Chicago police this year were against Asians, a number city leaders fear is far under-reported.

Alderman Nicole Lee is now the first Asian-American member of city council representing that community.

"I think part of the frustration in the community is the number of crimes that are committed that are not necessarily being categorized as hate crimes," Ald. Lee, 11th Ward.

The numbers show the problem keeps getting worse.

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The number of hate crimes reported in Chicago increased by 44% compared to this time in 2021.

"I think we should assume, and look to be a little more pro-active and find ways to have some of these dialogues in communities," said Ald. Harry Osterman, 48th Ward.

"Those of us who spend our days fighting hate and calling out extremism and hate, have to speak with as much energy strength and volume and intensity as we see coming from extremists and haters," said David Goldenberg, with the Anti-Defamation League.

At a state level, Governor JB Pritzker reactivated a group similar to the Human Rights Commission here in Chicago, that is looking at ways to increase reporting of potential hate crimes, and strengthen legislation against offenders.

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