Aldermen Seek To Protect Military Personnel Under Hate Crime Ordinance
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A City Council Committee has backed a measure designating any attack on uniformed military personnel as a hate crime.
Finance Committee Chairman Ald. Edward Burke (14th) said there have been 35 service members killed in domestic attacks since 2008, including one man's shooting spree at a Tennessee recruiting station in July, so he wants military personnel to be added to the list of those protected by federal hate crime law.
The proposal approved in committee on Tuesday would add active and prior military personnel to those protected by the city's hate crime ordinance.
Burke proposed the measure at the urging of former Ald. James Balcer, a decorated Vietnam War veteran.
Balcer acknowledged there haven't been any recent cases in Chicago.
"I can't point to anything recently, but in my opinion it's out there, and it has happened, and I'll stand by it," he said.
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The former marine said the measure is a preventative step in light of attacks elsewhere around the country.
"We're talking about decades … decades of bombings, assaults, and murders on the military personnel here in the United States," he said.
He said most people in Chicago seem grateful when they encounter veterans.
"The majority of people treat people good who serve in the military. That is a fact. 'Thank you for your service. Thank you for serving your country.' I will admit to that. However, you have these other cases where that isn't the case," Balcer said.
He also said, in the past, he was subjected to hostility because of his uniform.
