Cook County State's Attorney's Office Announces Hate Crimes Specialist to Bolster Community Engagement

CHICAGO - In response to the growing need to address hate crimes amid a challenging global climate, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office (CCSAO) proudly announces it is currently accepting applications for the new role of a dedicated Hate Crimes Specialist. This critical role will support the CCSAO Against Hate, Education & Outreach Program, focusing on enhancing community awareness, education, and response strategies to combat hate crimes.

"In the face of rising hate crimes, it's crucial that we proactively cultivate a culture of tolerance and understanding," said Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx. "This appointment represents our dedication to fostering unity and empathy, as we recognize that hate has no place in a just society. By addressing hate crimes head-on and empowering communities to stand together against bigotry, we take a significant step towards building a more inclusive and equitable future for all."

The Hate Crimes Specialist will play a pivotal role in collaborating with community organizations, activists, law enforcement, and policymakers to elevate public awareness and develop effective hate crime policies and training programs. Core responsibilities will include conducting seminars and training sessions to educate CCSAO staff and the public on recognizing and addressing hate crimes, establishing, and maintaining relationships with stakeholders to enhance hate crime reporting, and leading the formation of a CCSAO Hate Crime Council to inform policy decisions and improve investigation and prosecution procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Education and Outreach: Conduct seminars and training sessions to educate CCSAO staff and the public on recognizing and addressing hate crimes, including understanding conscious and unconscious biases.
• Community Collaboration: Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders to enhance hate crime reporting and awareness.
• Hate Crime Council Formation: Lead the establishment of a CCSAO Hate Crime Council to inform policy decisions and improve investigation and prosecution procedures.
• Training Development: Develop specialized training programs for various stakeholders on cultural awareness, bias recognition, and hate crime identification and reporting.
• Policy Enhancement and Advocacy: Work with the CCSAO policy department and the Hate Crime Council to advocate for improvements to hate crime laws and procedures.
• Incident Response Coordination: Act as a central contact for coordinating responses to hate crime incidents, ensuring thorough investigations, and supporting victim healing processes.

This new role is part of State's Attorney Foxx's commitment to addressing the diverse needs of the communities the office serves. Throughout the first quarter of this year, the office has created and actively engaged with various new community groups, including the Middle Eastern North African Advisory Group, and Immigration Advisory Council (MENA) and the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Advisory Council (AANHPIA), with more to come to gather insights and perspectives directly from those working within our communities.

"We recognize the importance of actively listening to and collaborating with community stakeholders," added State’s Attorney Foxx. "This new role is a crucial step forward in our ongoing efforts to build trust, promote understanding, and ensure justice for all."

The Hate Crimes Specialist position is funded by a four-year grant and will be part of the CCSAO Community Engagement Team.  

Please refer to the CCSAO external job board for more details about the position and the application process.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy of the CCSAO that applicants for employment are recruited, selected, and hired based on individual merit and ability, with respect to the position to be filled and potential for promotions or transfers which may be expected to develop. Applicants are recruited, selected, and hired without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), genetic information, citizenship, military service, marital status, parental status, and disability. Furthermore, personnel procedures and practices regarding training, transfer, compensation, demotion, layoff, or termination are to be administered with due regard to job performance, experience, and qualification, but without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or veteran/military status. EEOP information is available on the Cook County State’s Attorney website.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is the nation’s second-largest prosecutor’s office. Under the leadership of Cook County’s first Black woman State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx, the office has championed a progressive vision of justice that emphasizes thriving, healthy, and safe communities for all residents of Cook County, regardless of race, income, or zip code. As State’s Attorney, Foxx has been recognized as one of the nation’s most progressive prosecutors, employing innovative strategies to break the cycles of violence and crime and effecting change in a criminal justice system rooted in systemic racism. As her tenure draws to a close, her legacy of reform and community engagement will continue to influence the office. Follow @SAKimFoxx on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook and @CookCountySAO on Twitter and Facebook for updates and information.