Reaction to the infamous “noose incidents” of summer 2009 was rightfully indignant. Now that impassioned energy is being channeled into a push for state legislation to ban the display of “hate symbols” on public and private property with intent to harass or intimidate.

House Bill 5835 adds the display of nooses, swastikas and desecrated religious symbols to an existing statewide ban on cross-burning.

Sponsored by Chicago Democrat Rep. Esther Golar, the bill was introduced through the efforts of the Springfield-based Illinois Association of Minorities in Government. It is the result of a joint effort between CWLP employee Mike Williams, the alleged subject of one noose-hanging incident, and Jonathan Lackland, executive director for IAMG.

“As it stands right now, individuals collectively do not have protection as a result of these types of situations,” Lackland says. “Obviously, a noose offers negativity to certain segments of the community, just like a swastika does, and we’ve had recent incidents here with the City of Springfield where we feel they were very derelict in their duties to an employee by allowing it to happen.”

The measure goes to a hearing Feb. 25 before the House Judiciary II Criminal Law committee. It must pass the committee to go to the full House for a vote before being sent to the Senate, where the process is repeated.