Editor’s Note: The community building work of the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Human Rights provides a good example of the importance of evidence-based, community-centric, and intentional programming. The Commission’s recent convening and their longer term work focuses on bolstering protective factors that decrease the likelihood of harms and violence, like social connection and trust in institutions, and blunting risk factors for harm and violence, like inequity and the dehumanization of others.
What is the state’s role in countering and preventing targeted violence? In Illinois, supporting our communities is an essential part of the answer. The Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (CDHC), which is housed in the Illinois Department of Human Rights, is developing a comprehensive approach that includes both providing state-level resources and sharing knowledge, training, and resources to support local efforts to build resilient communities.
In October 2024, CDHC launched Help Stop Hate, including a helpline and online portal to support individuals and communities affected by hate. Then in early 2025, CDHC commissioned an 18-month state study on hate and community health as a step toward building accurate, sound data about hate-fueled violence in Illinois.
But none of these resources matter if they do not reflect community needs and if they lack the buy-in of local leaders and residents. So, the Commission has developed a long-term strategy to visit communities across the state to listen, learn, share resources, collaborate, and co-create effective approaches.
As a result of the relationships developed during those multi-day visits, the Commission partnered with the City of Champaign to hold a day-long conference on Oct. 21, 2025. Designed to empower state and local leaders. “Illinois Together Against Hate: Human Rights in Action,” was the first conference of its kind in Illinois. It was co-sponsored by the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the City of Urbana, and the Illinois Municipal Human Rights Association.
The event drew 150 leaders from across the state, including state employees and commissioners, elected officials, municipal staff, local human rights commissioners, and leaders from a range of community-based organizations. Some came in groups: a professor from University of Illinois brought a group of students; a state representative came with several of her staff; a small human rights commission in Central Illinois came with multiple commissioners.
The Conference aimed to empower local leaders with knowledge and tools to counter and prevent hate, protect human rights, and better serve their communities. By gathering in person, local leaders were able to strengthen connections between each other while exploring practical strategies to prevent hate and protect human rights.
All conference attendees participated in the morning plenary, “The Changing Landscape of Hate and Mass Violence,” with Cynthia Miller-Idriss, founding director of the Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University.
As one of the six breakout sessions, Miller-Idriss also presented on the topic of her new book, “Man-Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Extremism.” Leaders from other organizations and agencies, including the Illinois Department of Human Rights, the Illinois Human Rights Commission, Interfaith America, Urban Rural Action, led sessions on human rights commissions, human rights laws, fair housing, social cohesion, and community mediation.
As a reminder that the cellular matter of social health is individuals and our relationships, CDHC Commissioner Jenan Mohajir, Vice President of External Affairs for Interfaith America, talked about the power of storytelling before her own brief stories of raising resilient children. The shortest session of the day, it reminded participants that bigotry harms actual people – mothers, fathers, neighbors, and classmates—and preventing hate requires knowing each other and allowing ourselves to be moved by each other’s stories.
The conference agenda represented CDHC’s three-pronged approach to building a more resilient state for all, which includes:
- Strong human rights and hate crimes laws;
- State investment and commitment to provide subject matter expertise, training, and resources;
- Local commitment to reject expressions of hate, prevent violent extremism, and increase social connection.
This work takes time, but it bears fruit. The conference ballroom was full of people who had previously engaged with CDHC during community visits, listening sessions, and trainings; scanning the room provided a review of CDHC’s community engagement schedule. Many of them took the day off work and traveled hours to join the conference. The message is clear: Direct, relational engagement builds trust, which enables the state to better serve its communities.
The conference was intentionally in Central Illinois, outside the state’s biggest and most resourced urban area. Expressions of bias in rural Illinois look different than they do in urban Chicago. But the solutions are the same—well-organized and well-supported communities with strong laws, strong connections between and among leaders and residents, good data, and an ongoing commitment to protect the safety and dignity of all residents.
Conference evaluations confirmed the value of the day and the CDHC’s investment in local capacity building. Eighty-six percent of participants gave the conference top rating. One participant shared, “I left the event deeply encouraged and motivated to continue this collective work. When we stand together against hate, we build a stronger and more compassionate Illinois for all.”
VIOLENCE PREVENTION NOTICE: Warning signs often appear before violent acts. If someone you know makes general or specific threats, shows unusual interest in weapons, or fixates on previous violent incidents, you’re not overreacting by taking action. Ask direct questions and help them connect with professional support (or alert authorities if danger is immediate). Your intervention can prevent tragedy.
