ByMATHILDA HELLER

Chicago has unanimously adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, making it the second-largest city in the US to codify IHRA into municipal code law.

"This is the biggest victory for the Jewish people in Chicago in a very long time," student leader Michael Kaminsky, who spearheaded the bill, told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

Section 6-10 of Chicago's municipal code is now amended to include antisemitism as discrimination in the Chicago City Council's declaration of general human rights.

As per IHRA, antisemitism is defined as a "certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed towards Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities, as defined by the IHRA."

Chicago Aldermans Debora Silverstein and Raymond Lopez, alongside Kaminsky and his fellow student leader Jake Rymer, met in Spring 2025 to discuss proposing the bill amid rising antisemitism in the city.

American and Israeli Jews [Illustrative]
American and Israeli Jews [Illustrative] (credit: REUTERS)

'Define antisemitism fully and completely'

On realizing that Chicago had never provided a clear definition of antisemitism, they decided to change the written law to "define antisemitism fully and completely so that we can address it directly and resolutely," adding, "Vague nondescript definitions give Jew hatred cover."

Following the unanimous vote on January 21, Rymer said it was an "important first step to finally protecting the Jewish community in Chicago."

"When we face Jew-hatred in our communities, we must stand our ground and fight back against those who wish to see our people, cities, and nation crumble," added Kaminsky.

As noted, Chicago is now the biggest city after Los Angeles to adopt the definition. They are joined by other major cities: Washington DC, Miami, Dallas, Wichita, El Paso, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.