A Streator woman and her son have the dubious distinction to be named in the first ever hate crime lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Rauol’s office. The lawsuit alleges that 67-year old Cheryl Hampton and her son 45-year old Chad Hampton engaged in months of racist behavior aimed at intimidating their neighbor Gregory Johnson.
Raoul says the two allegedly displayed a racial slur in front of a Confederate Flag in a window directly facing the victim’s home. He also alleges that the two escalated the harassment by using a noose to hang a bound and chained effigy of a black man made to resemble Johnson from a tree in front his home.
An investigation is underway involving the Civil Rights Bureau and the Carroll County State’s Attorney’s Office. They are also receiving help from the city of Savanna, IL and the Savanna Police Department. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties and equitable relief.
Both people involved in the alleged incidents received separate charged. Chad Hampton was charged with criminal destruction of property and Cheryl Hampton was charged with criminal harassment of a witness.