SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (D-14) introduced on Feb. 3 an amendment to the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961, which would add protections for gender identity, military status and immigration status to the state’s hate crimes law.
HB4725 is the result of efforts among Illinois lawmakers and local LGBT activists, including members of The Civil Rights Agenda, who authored the bill.
Crimes against victims because of their gender identity, military status or immigration status will be, “accorded weight in favor of imposing a term of imprisonment or may be considered by the court as reasons to impose a more severe sentence,” according to the bill summary.
Current Illinois hate crime laws already cover sexual orientation. The proposed amendment would add protections for those who are targeted for being perceived as transgender or gender-variant.
So far, Rep. Greg Harris (13th District), Rep. Deb Mell (40th District) and Rep. Edward J. Acevedo (2nd District) have been added as co-sponsors.
