SPRINGFIELD – State Senators Laura Fine (D-Glenview) and Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) released the following statement after the West Rogers Park Jewish community suffered a series of targeted attacks over the weekend:

“This kind of hate is appalling and unacceptable anywhere, let alone in our own backyard.

“Illinois must live up to its commitment of being a welcoming state and prioritize protecting our most targeted neighbors. With hate crimes reaching the highest point in over a decade, Jewish and other diverse communities are in need of safe spaces to come together.

“To that end, we have introduced legislation to fully fund the Nonprofit Security Grant Program so that the religious institutions, schools and support providers that serve marginalized communities have the necessary resources to protect their neighbors.”