CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson today received the 2024 annual Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents report from the Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR), which reveals encouraging progress in overall public safety, and a deeply concerning rise in specific categories of hate crimes. 

Total hate crimes in Chicago fell by 25% in 2024, with substantial declines across nearly every category, according to the report. This positive trend mirrors the broader drop in serious crime the city is experiencing under the Johnson administration. This year alone, homicides are down by 32%, shooting victimizations are down by over 40%, and robberies are down by 31%.  

“This reduction in hate crimes and of violence generally is a testament to what’s possible when we invest in people and community safety in a holistic way,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Safer communities are built not only through strategic, constitutional policing, but also through jobs for young people, access to mental health care, and housing people can afford.” 

Despite this progress, the report shows that hate crimes targeting two communities, Jewish Chicagoans and gay men, have increased in 2024. Of particular alarm, anti-Jewish hate crimes surged by 58%, now accounting for 37.6% of all reported hate crimes in the city. This is part of a national increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes but is especially troubling given that Jewish residents represent just 3% of Chicago’s population. 

In response, Mayor Johnson has directed CCHR to exercise its authority under Section 2-120-518 of the Municipal Code to convene public hearings focused on understanding and addressing the rise in anti-Jewish hate crimes and to work with the LGBTQ+ Advisory Council to schedule community meetings to explore how best to address the increase in hate crimes against gay males. 

“Our Jewish neighbors and gay Chicagoans, like every Chicagoan, deserve to feel safe, seen, protected and cared for,” said Mayor Johnson. “We will not tolerate hate in our city. These hearings will help us shine a light on this unacceptable trend and build the policies necessary to reverse it.” 

The hearings to address anti-Jewish hate crimes will aim to: 

• Document the lived experiences of an inclusive cross-section of Jewish Chicagoans and others impacted by anti-Jewish hate crimes. 

• Gather testimony from community stakeholders, victims, academic experts, legal scholars, law enforcement, and nonprofit leaders. 

• Examine the systemic and institutional factors, including social media, that may be fueling the rise in hate. 

• Produce actionable recommendations in policy, education, enforcement, and community support to improve safety and equity for all Chicagoans, with a focus on our Jewish neighbors. 

CCHR will provide more details on the dates and structure of the hearings in the coming weeks. 

The safety and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community has been an ongoing concern for Mayor Johnson. In December of 2024, he signed an Executive Order establishing a Working Group on Transfemicide and Protections for the Transgender and Gender-Diverse Community which became a City ordinance in February of this year.  

To date the CCHR has held two community meetings in accordance with the mandate and will hold the final community meeting Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Broadway Armory Park Fieldhouse, located at 5917 N. Broadway, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. CCHR is reviewing the findings to make recommendations which will be submitted to the Committee on Health and Human Relations.  

CCHR Commissioner Nancy Andrade stated, “While we are happy to report a significant drop in hate crimes in 2024, we share the Mayor’s concerns and will heed his call to action. We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to serve and uplift all the people of Chicago.”      

Mayor Johnson added, “Community safety means every community. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but we are not blind to the pain that still exists. Together, we will confront hate, wherever it shows up and ensure every neighborhood in Chicago is a place where dignity, respect, and justice prevail.” 

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