While many of us were freely celebrating and enjoying the nation’s 250th birthday over the July 4 weekend, one Lake County resident wasn’t in a party mood. Instead, he was incarcerated, allegedly for committing a hate crime.
Perhaps Derek Webb thought he was exercising an American’s right to free speech when he posted placards around the county with racist slurs, along with threats against Hispanics and immigrants. Instead, he’s been held since June 30, charged with one count of felony hate crime and one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Specifically, the 38-year-old Libertyville resident is alleged to have posted at least one bullseye sign that included handwritten words saying: “Good Shot ICE.” He apparently was referencing the past and future use of firearms by agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Webb’s hateful handiwork was posted from April through May in Gurnee, Lake Villa, Lindenhurst, North Chicago, Waukegan and into Kenosha, Wisconsin, authorities have said. None of the anti-immigration posters were spotted in his hometown, despite him being a person who allegedly went to great lengths to place the threats in mainly immigrant communities.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart noted last week that the case remains an ongoing investigation throughout multiple jurisdictions and dozens of reported crime scenes. “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,” Rinehart pointed out in a statement.
That’s similar to the old analogy of “shouting fire in a crowded theater.” Such speech is not considered protected by the First Amendment because it presents a “clear and present danger” according to case law.
It is disheartening to know hatemongers still walk among us, especially during all the 250th birthday hoopla and patriotic Fourth of July bashes. Hate speech is downright un-American in 2026.
Which is what a county judge indicated when he detained Webb, noting the man terrorized the area by putting his crude craftsmanship on utility poles and other locations for all to see. “Clear threats of physical violence that are motivated by hatred, bias, or racism must be strongly condemned in the community and responded to by the legal system,” Rinehart said.
He wasn’t the only elected official or community member in the county to denounce Webb’s actions. All echoed the state’s attorney’s message: “Hate must have no home in Lake County.”
Apparently, it does reside in the heart of one resident who took overt action, placing racist placards around the county. Other hatemongers may have similar thoughts.
They just haven’t expressed themselves to the extent Derek Webb allegedly did: Taking the time and having the energy to go from town to town posting abhorrent slogans. Perhaps he’ll learn a new hobby or hone his artistic skills while a guest at the county jail at the expense of taxpayers.
Proving Webb’s not the only one with a hate crusade in the region was the arrest last week of three mopes who attacked a CBS Chicago news crew. Setting up for a live summer report on June 29 near Adler Planetarium on Chicago’s lakefront, the reporter and videographer were allegedly confronted by the trio.
The men, all with previous violent arrest records, jumped out of a tow truck and attempted to sic a German shepherd dog on the two newspeople, one of whom was Black. Another attacker yelled racial slurs.
William Huerta, 41, of southwest suburban Chicago Ridge; Rafael Salinas, 29, and Jon Twist, 37, both of Chicago, are each facing multiple charges for the incident, including aggravated battery to a police officer, assault, and fleeing and eluding, according to multiple reports. Twist’s charges also include hate crime and criminal damage to property.
Some $100,000 in damage was done to high-tech camera gear and the TV crew’s van when one of the men smashed the vehicle’s windshield. Fortunately, neither of the Channel 2 employees was injured.
But they could have been. Which is why a Cook County judge detained the three in jail as threats to the community.
Attacking a news crew wasn’t the brightest thing to do for this gang of three. In these situations, it’s all for one and one for all when members of the media, even competitors, are assailed. Every news outlet covers the story as if it’s their own.
These two recent cases of alleged hate crimes should be a wake-up call for us who embrace all. Seems hatred dies hard among some of our neighbors.
Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor. sellenews@gmail.com. X @sellenews
