On February 1, Senate President Harmon spoke to a broad partnership of government, business, civic, religious and neighborhood groups about putting resources to work in designated communities to save lives and end violence.
The event marked two years of double-digit declines in shootings in Chicago.
Video of the event and the full text of Harmon's remarks as prepared are below.
Good morning, all.
Thank you for the invitation to come here today and learn about the amazing strides you’re making to eradicate gun violence in our communities.
It is inspiring to see a group of such dedicated volunteers and advocates.
Our fight to end community gun violence has no easy answers and no quick solutions.
It can feel thankless at times.
Much attention is given to mass shootings, especially when they touch communities less familiar with gun violence, but Chicago deals with mass shootings every week – just not on the same sidewalk or street corner.
The carnage is just as devastating.
Thanks to the work of organizations like yours, though, it is lessening bit by bit.
We’re here today to recognize two years in a row of double-digit declines in shootings.
That number looks good on paper, but it’s more than just that. It’s dozens of parents, siblings and friends who still have someone in their lives who otherwise might have been taken from them by gun violence.
Progress like this is only possible when we work together and take a holistic approach to solving the problem.
Community groups, religious leaders, lawmakers and business owners must all collaborate, because gun violence impacts every corner of this city and state.
The Senate Democrats remain committed to supporting programs to reduce violence and improve outcomes, not only, for youth, but for all Illinois residents.
That’s what spurred the General Assembly to pass the Reimagine Public Safety Act several years ago.
We wanted to direct funding and resources to community members, because community members a know best what underlying concerns fuel the violence epidemic.
We will continue to prioritize and fight for resources at the state level.
But we also know that it takes more than resources from Springfield to solve this problem.
And that is what makes this effort, this group so special – the dedication from civic groups to go neighborhood by neighborhood to reclaim communities.
Together we will make a difference.
Together we will make things better.
In closing, I want to offer my sincerest thanks to all of you for your bravery, dedication and selflessness.
It can be hard to see in the midst of the daily struggle, but we are making progress.
It took 16 years and multiple failures to pass legislation requiring gun dealer registration.
Building on that success, a recent law banning the manufacture and sale of assault weapons had a much easier path to the governor’s desk.
We are headed in the right direction.
For that, I thank you. Keep up the good work.
