Illinois is launching a new way for people to report suspected hate acts.
"Help Stop Hate" is a confidential helpline to provide support and resources.
Executive Director of the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes Elana Kahn says they are seeing a sharp rise of suspected hate acts over past couple of years.
"We see the numbers from the FBI, they show an all-time high last year," said Kahn on Total Information A.M. "We're seeing the same kind of thing in Illinois.
Kahn says many times it is the same groups of people who are targeted.
"We know they target people based on their race, identity, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental disabilities, citizenship, etc. etc."
The initiative offers a confidential service providing support and resources to communities impacted by hate.
Hate crimes hit a record high in 2023, with almost 12,000 incidents reported to the FBI. Reports can be made anonymously by calling (877) 458-HATE.