On Tuesday, October 21, more than 100 leaders, advocates, and community members from across Illinois gathered in Champaign for the inaugural Illinois Together Against Hate Conference. The conference provided a vital platform to exchange strategies, forge partnerships, and reaffirm a shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and combating hate in all its forms. Co-sponsored by the City of Champaign, the City of Urbana, and the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), the day featured a dynamic lineup of speakers, panels, and workshops.
The conference opened with remarks from Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, who highlighted the importance of community, followed by a keynote address from Dr. Cynthia Miller-Idriss, a leading national expert on extremism and founder of the Polarization & Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) at American University.
Throughout the day, sessions explored a range of critical topics, including building social cohesion, fair housing, understanding the Illinois Human Rights Act, and addressing the rise of violent extremism. Participants also shared impactful stories, innovative programs, and personal reflections all reinforcing a collective goal: To ensure Illinois remains a place where every person feels safe, valued, and heard.