CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Ahead of another potentially deadly weekend in Chicago, anti-violence groups were pleading with local governments to use federal relief money to expand the work that they’re doing across the city.
An alliance of the organizations is urging city, county and state officials to use more American Rescue Plan funds to help their efforts in every neighborhood troubled by gun violence.
Eddie Bocanegra, senior director of the group READI Chicago, said their methods — combining human services, training and employment — can work.
Surveys show participants in such program are 80% are less likely to be accused of murder, he said.
Vaughn Bryant, director of Metropolitan Family Services, credits Mayor Lori Lightfoot with doing more than her predecessors. But it’s not enough, he said.
Jen Keeling with Chicago CRED concedes groups with other causes are demanding some of the federal funds, too. But she said there’s no higher need right now than stemming the tide of violence.
The issue of curbing gun violence is the topic on WBBM Newsradio’s weekly program, “At Issue,” which airs 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
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