Lake County Man Charged With Hate Crime for Posting Threatening Signs Targeting Latino, Immigrant Residents

A Lake County man is facing a hate crime charge after prosecutors allege he spent weeks posting menacing signs targeting Latino and immigrant residents across North Chicago and Waukegan — a campaign that rattled communities already navigating an anxious national climate around immigration enforcement.

The Charges

Derek Webb was charged with one count of hate crime, a Class 4 felony, and one count of disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor. Webb appeared in court Tuesday and is scheduled to return Wednesday afternoon for a detention hearing at 1:30 p.m., after prosecutors filed a petition seeking to hold him ahead of trial, citing the seriousness of the allegations.

What the Signs Said

Prosecutors described several signs Webb allegedly posted in the area. One depicted a shark with the word "ICE" drawn across it. Another showed a crudely drawn figure over a target practice image, with the word "MAGA" written below. A third — perhaps the most alarming — was a bullseye sign with the handwritten words "Good Shot ICE" scrawled across it.

The signs began appearing last month, and residents told authorities that even as community members took them down, new ones continued to appear. The persistence of the postings prompted residents to gather publicly in Waukegan to speak out against the intimidation.

Prosecutors Speak Out

The Lake County State's Attorney issued a pointed statement following Webb's arrest, emphasizing that threatening speech directed at historically marginalized communities falls outside constitutional protections.

"Hate must have no home in Lake County," the State's Attorney said. "True threats are not protected by free speech, and they are particularly dangerous when they are directed towards groups who are historically and wrongfully attacked."

Context and Significance

North Chicago and Waukegan are home to significant Latino and immigrant communities. The signs surfaced during a period of heightened anxiety over federal immigration enforcement, making the alleged targeting especially charged. The arrest marks a significant moment for local advocates who have pushed law enforcement to treat such acts as criminal threats rather than protected expression.

What's Next

Webb's detention hearing on Wednesday will determine whether he remains in custody ahead of trial. The outcome of the hate crime charge — a felony — could carry lasting consequences. For the communities targeted, the arrest offers some measure of accountability, though advocates are likely to continue pressing for broader protections against intimidation directed at immigrant residents across the Chicago metropolitan area.