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Lawmakers announce Rockford at center of new violence prevention effort
State Senator Steve Stadelman, State Representative Maurice West and State Representative Dave Vella announced New Year's Eve that Rockford has been named as one of 10 cities outside Chicago to receive state funding under Illinois' new Reimagine Public Safety Act.
As a result of the designation, Rockford will share in $50 million being spent statewide this year on frontline, community-based efforts to address addiction, mental illness, youth trauma and other underlying causes of firearm violence. Another $200 million is expected to be spent on RPSA programs in 2023 and 2024.
"Crime -- and especially gun violence -- is a major challenge facing Rockford and a big obstacle to our community becoming a top place to live and work," Stadelman said during a news conference in the EJ Zeke Giorgi Center. "Rockford being the focus of the state's new strategy for preventing gun violence is welcome news because the state's strategy targets on root causes and pumps resources to local people who are on the ground and best equipped to make the most of these resources."
RPSA creates the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention under the Illinois Department of Human Services. IDHS is expected in January 2022 to name individuals to serve on Local Advisory Councils to oversee distribution of funds to local organizations.
"The Reimagine Public Safety Act is coming to Rockford and will be a change agent to how we combat gun violence," West said. "I am particularly excited about the fact that we are investing in community organizations who have boots on the ground within the communities that are impacted the most by gun violence. Empowering the community to better the community is the true definition of reimagining public safety. I look forward to seeing how this investment makes Rockford a better place to work, live and play."
Visit the IDHS website for more information. Click here to watch WIFR-23 news report.
New year, new laws
Nearly 300 laws are officially on the books as of Jan. 1 – from one that gives students excused mental health days to another that ensures pharmacies are being up front about their prices. Click here to view a slide show of 10 new laws being highlighted by the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus – including one passed by State Senator Steve Stadelman at No. 3.
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