Chicago groups receive first round of anti-violence federal funds

The funds are part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s pledge to spend $250 million in federal COVID relief money on Illinois’ gun violence crisis.

Guillermo Gutierrez points to a mural that reads BLM,
Guillermo Gutierrez, a street outreach supervisor for Enlace Chicago, a community group in Little Village. Adriana Cardona-Maguigad / WBEZ
Guillermo Gutierrez points to a mural that reads BLM,
Guillermo Gutierrez, a street outreach supervisor for Enlace Chicago, a community group in Little Village. Adriana Cardona-Maguigad / WBEZ

Chicago groups receive first round of anti-violence federal funds

The funds are part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s pledge to spend $250 million in federal COVID relief money on Illinois’ gun violence crisis.

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Nearly $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds have been dispersed to dozens of community-based violence prevention groups throughout the state. This is the first payment of pandemic relief money budgeted for anti-violence efforts.

Reset learns more about how the grants will help Chicago groups fight gun violence across the city.

GUEST: Patrick Smith, WBEZ criminal justice reporter