Posted on 02/02/22
| News Source: Chicago Sun Times
A man with a long criminal record and an apparent history of mental illness is accused of going on a hate crime spree in West Rogers Park last weekend, spray-painting yellow swastikas on a synagogue and on the grounds of a Jewish high school in Rogers Park, smashing windows at two other synagogues and making threatening gestures.
Calling the allegations “a textbook case of a hate crime,” Judge Barbara Dawkins ordered Shahid Hussain, 39, held on $250,000 bail. If he gets out of jail, she warned, he must stay away from the places he vandalized.
“Yes, your honor, I was...” Hussain started to respond before trailing off.
As Hussain was appearing in court, Jewish leaders were standing with top law enforcement officials to urge the community to find positive ways to combat antisemitism.
“I encourage everybody to take this moment also to bring more good and more light in the world, and this way make the world a better place,” said Rabbi Baruch Hertz of Bnei Ruven. “And the message is that we will stand stronger and build even stronger and greater, and this way bring a unity to our community.”