HB 5456

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a hate crime is: (1) a Class 2 felony if committed by a person 18 years of age or older while armed with a firearm or if the victim of the hate crime is under 18 years of age; (2) a Class 1 felony if a crime of violence as defined in the Crime Victims Compensation Act is committed against a person by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals; or (3) a Class 1 felony for which the person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 4 years and not more than 15 years if a crime of violence that is a Class 1 felony is committed against a victim of a hate crime. Provides that the court may sentence a defendant who committed a hate crime to a term of natural life imprisonment if the underlying crime is first degree murder if the murder was committed by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin of the victim or victims. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a period of probation, a term of periodic imprisonment or conditional discharge shall not be imposed for a conviction for a hate crime if: (1) committed by a person 18 years of age or older while armed with a firearm or if the victim of the hate crime is under 18 years of age; or (2) a crime of violence is committed against a person by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals.