Speaking at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s annual conference Thursday afternoon, Gov. JB Pritzker said the burning of a cross this week in Grant Park was a sign of how far-right leaders have enabled hatred in the U.S.

“The fact that it even occurred at all speaks to what happens when the seeds of racism and fascism grow unchecked in our country,” Pritzker said. “The threats are real. And in times like these, it’s easy to fall prey to despair, to think that the fight for justice is just too costly to engage in, that the mountain is too high to climb and the path is too narrow to navigate.”

Burning crosses have historically been tied to white supremacy and, specifically, the Ku Klux Klan.

Pritzker then used the phrase made famous by the Rainbow PUSH’s late founder, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, to reject the beliefs associated with cross burnings.

“But here in Chicago, here in the great state of Illinois and the land of Lincoln, we were raised on the words and actions of a leader who left us with enough inspiration for more than just his generation, more than just one lifetime. ‘Keep hope alive,’ he said,” Pritzker said, quoting Jackson’s line in his 1998 Democratic National Convention speech.

Pritzker also noted that, “Our state government won’t stand for” the cross burning and that he has “deployed the necessary resources” to find the person responsible for the burning.

The cross burning was reported around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 600 block of South Columbus Drive. A shirtless male was seen fleeing the park. Police described the arson suspect as a male wearing dark pants, white shoes and carrying a backpack.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

In a statement, Rainbow PUSH said called the burning cross “disturbing and deeply offensive.”

“To witness such a symbol in the heart of Chicago is a gut-wrenching reminder that the forces of hatred and racial intimidation remain present in our society,” the organization’s statement reads. "… We refuse to allow this act to terrorize our communities or silence our pursuit of justice.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson also condemned the cross burning in a statement earlier this week.

“Hate has no place in our city. … Every Chicagoan deserves to feel safe, protected and respected while going about their day or enjoying our public spaces,” the mayor said.