An investigation into an antisemitic incident is being conducted by the Highland Park Police Department after graffiti depicting a swastika was found at Millard Park.
The Park District of Highland Park immediately removed the defacement upon discovery of the graffiti on Monday, according to a statement from the city.
“Hate-motivated acts have no place in our community and are antithetical to our values,” the statement said. “The city stands in solidarity with our Jewish community in denouncing all acts of antisemitism.”
An October 2023 report by the Anti-Defamation League revealed antisemitic incidents and white supremacist propaganda doubled in Illinois last year. Statewide hate crimes have risen 80% since 2020, according to the watchdog group’s “Hate in the Prairie State” report.
A Jewish cemetery in Waukegan was defaced in November 2022 after swastikas were spray-painted on headstones. Police found 39 headstones defaced with red paint and 16 large headstones painted with swastikas. Another 23 stones were painted with nonspecific graffiti.
In November 2023, Skokie police investigated graffiti depicting a swastika found at a kosher pizzeria.
The Highland Park Police Department encourages anyone with information regarding this incident to call the public safety non-emergency line at 847-432-7730.
chilles@chicagotribune.com
