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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
DECLARING OCTOBER 19 - 25, 2025 UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK
WHEREAS, United Against Hate Week is a nationwide call for local action to stop the implicit biases that can become a dangerous threat to everyone in every community; and
WHEREAS, Cook County United Against Hate launched in 2022 to activate individuals and communities to champion justice, report discrimination, and interrupt bullying and injustice everywhere it exists; and
WHEREAS, Cook County United Against Hate is growing a diverse coalition of individuals, nonprofits, faith groups, businesses, academic organizations, and governments that publicly denounce bigotry - now more than 90 organizational partners; and
WHEREAS, Cook County United Against Hate challenges everyone to foster welcoming communities, free from discrimination; and
WHEREAS, Cook County United Against Hate creates opportunities to educate about the impacts of intolerance on ourselves, our neighbors, and or communities; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Public Defender, State’s Attorney, and Department of Human Rights support people and communities that are victims or witnesses of hate; and
WHEREAS, in the face of a spate of political violence, including the assassination of Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman, the fire set to Pennsylvania Governor’s Mansion, the fire at New Mexico Republican Party headquarters, and the shooting at Democratic National Committee office in Arizona, it is all the more imperative that we collectively step up to address injustice, racism, and bullying and create communities that celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is a sanctuary County that welcomes all people regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, class, or other backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, hate crimes continue to rise and have more than doubled since 2015; and
WHEREAS, nationally, according to the US Department of Justice, 11,697 hate crime incidents were reported in 2024, marking the second highest year on record since the FBI began reporting data in 1991; and
WHEREAS, 11,323 single-bias incidents involved 13,683 offenses, and 4,821 violent offenses; and
WHEREAS, of the 10,604 known hate crime offenders, 52.5% were White, 20.5% were Black or African American, and 17.8% race unknown; and
WHEREAS, in Illinois in 2024, 394 hate incidents were reported, with 45% of incidents against a person because of their race or ethnicity; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 2021-22 school year, nearly 20 percent of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied during school; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Department of Human Rights saw an over 150% increase in complaint and investigation inquires and cases filed; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is steadfast in its commitment to fostering inclusion, where every resident, no matter their background or zip code, can live without fear of discrimination; and
WHEREAS, by educating ourselves, we in turn build a County that is stronger, more equitable and more just; and
WHEREAS, together, we can create an environment where compassion, empathy and respect overcome hate and intolerance; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby declare October 19 - 25, 2025 as United Against Hate Week and recommits to welcoming all people regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, class, or other background; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, during United Against Hate Week, Cook County encourages seven days of local civil action by residents, governments, and organizations in every community to denounce racism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, agism, classism, ableism, audism, and discrimination and implicit or explicit bias of any kind; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Cook County pledges to unite against prejudice, to advocate for justice, and to promote equity at every level; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, hate has no home in Cook County.end