Antisemitic hate crimes in Chicago rose by a staggering 58% in 2024, according to a new city report, even as overall hate crimes fell by 25% across most other categories. The spike has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish groups of the city�s political leadership, particularly Mayor Brandon Johnson, whose past actions and statements have already brought up the question of whether he cares about – or is even opposed to – the safety of Jewish Chicagoans.

The Chicago Commission on Human Relations� 2024 Hate Crimes Report, submitted to the mayor�s office, found that 79 anti-Jewish incidents were recorded in the city last year, up from 50 in 2023. Jewish residents�who comprise just 3% of Chicago�s population�were the most frequently targeted group, accounting for 37.6% of all hate crimes in the city.

�This is part of a national increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes but is especially troubling given the small size of the Jewish community in Chicago,� the mayor�s office acknowledged in a statement, calling the trend �of particular alarm.�

By comparison, hate crimes targeting Black residents fell by more than 50%, from 76 to 33 incidents. Other categories�including anti-Muslim and anti-Arab hate crimes�either declined or remained flat.

Of the antisemitic incidents in 2024, 47% involved criminal damage to property, 8% were assaults, and 5% were batteries. City officials did not provide complete figures for anti-gay hate crimes but acknowledged they had also risen.

Johnson, who in January 2024 cast the tie-breaking vote for a City Council resolution demanding a Gaza ceasefire, has faced repeated criticism for his anti-Israel posturing. In April, the Chicago Jewish Alliance condemned him for being photographed wearing a keffiyeh. The Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest has also issued several statements condemning Johnson�s rhetoric and appointments, including a school board president who reportedly posted antisemitic content and expressed support for Hamas.

The Jewish Community Relations Council announced it would convene two public hearings to address the �unnerving trend� of antisemitic hate crimes in the city.

While federal officials have reported a national rise in antisemitic incidents since the October 7 Hamas-led terror attack on Israel, the sharp increase in Chicago�and the political environment surrounding it�has prompted calls for a more forceful response at the local level.

�The data are clear: antisemitism is growing in Chicago, and city leaders must meet this moment with urgency,� the JCRC said in a statement. �This is not just a statistical trend�it�s a safety crisis.�

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)