Press Release: Don’s Destruction: Republicans Fake Concern for Crime AFTER Defunding Violence Prevention Programs
If the ILGOP truly cared about the safety of families in Chicago’s neighborhoods, they wouldn’t have worked eagerly to dismantle anti-violence efforts.
CONTACT:
Gwen Pepin
[email protected]
Chicago, IL – After terminating 373 violence-prevention grants – 19 of which supported the work being done by Chicago-based organizations, Donald Trump is again threatening to send the National Guard to Chicago. His agenda–supported by the ILGOP– has resulted in a loss of $33.7 million for programs in Illinois that help reduce crime. Additionally, Trump is intentionally withholding $54 million that supported victims of sexual assault and families suffering from the fallout of violent crime. In response to Republicans who treat public safety as a militarized spectacle, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez said the following:
“By voting for the Big, Ugly Budget and supporting DOGE cuts earlier this year, Illinois Republicans Mary Miller (IL-15), Mike Bost (IL-12), and Darin LaHood (IL-16) aided Trump in defunding the work being done by Chicago organizations to reduce crime and save lives. Today, Illinois Republicans either cheer or remain silent as Trump threatens war on an American city. If the ILGOP truly cared about the safety of families in Chicago’s neighborhoods, they wouldn’t have worked eagerly to dismantle anti-violence efforts.”
The facts:
- The Trump Administration dismantled the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, terminated an initiative that financially helped rural law enforcement agencies, terminated grants that improved the safety and wellness of officers, and defunded terrorism training programs.
- In April, Edwin Galletti, who leads UCAN Chicago, got an unexpected email telling him that the $200,000 federal grant UCAN had earmarked for crime victims had been terminated, effective immediately.
- The DOJ terminated a nearly $4 million grant that Chicago CRED had planned to distribute to smaller organizations in Chicago’s South and West Sides.
- The DOJ terminated BUILD’s $500,000 grant, which would have expanded access for crime victims.
- Terminated grants that supported victims and survivors of crime in historically underserved communities.
- Froze $158 million in funding for violence prevention programs in cities like Chicago.
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