JJCPD takes Hate Crimes very seriously.  All members of the JJC Community are entitled to a learning or working environment free of discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or national origin. 

Those committing a hate crime must understand that the penalties for hate crimes are very serious and are more severe when the crime is committed on school property or on any “public way within 1000 feet” of the property of a school.  The penalty for a first offense  is a Class 3 Felony which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.  A second offense is a Class 2 Felony with a penalty of up to seven years in prison.

The Illinois Compiled Statutes Ch.720 ILCS 5/12-7.1 states that a person commits a Hate Crime when:

because of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin of another person or group of persons, (even if there are other motivating factors), he commits any of the following crimes:

assault, battery, aggravated assault, misdemeanor theft, criminal trespass to residence, misdemeanor criminal damage to property, criminal trespass to vehicle, criminal trespass to real property, mob action, disorderly conduct, harassment by telephone or harassment through electronic communications.

Hate crimes and “Bias Incidents” are also violations of the JJC Student Code of Conduct.  A “bias incident” is defined as “behavior or actions discriminating against another based on race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.”  Violators will be referred to a code of conduct hearing. 

For more information about hate crimes, visit the FBI's Web site at www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/civilrights/hate.htm .