Cook County Awards Nearly $2 Million In Anti-Violence Funding

The Cook County Board today approved $1.9 million in grants for 15 local community groups. The organizations’ work will be aimed at reducing violence in Cook County. The grant proposals were recommended by the Violence Prevention, Intervention and Reduction Advisory Committee, which was established by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle as part of the 2013 budget. The seven-member committee evaluated the grant submissions and made recommendations to the Cook County Justice Advisory Council about the best way to allocate limited funding to serve the needs of communities plagued by violence. “I am grateful to the committee for determining how to distribute resources in an effort to make an impact in our neighborhoods,” President Preckwinkle said. “I look forward to working with these individuals and organizations to ensure the grants are as effective as possible. We believe this funding will provide critical services that help address violence prevention.” The committee evaluated proposals submitted by 112 organizations. The committee members are Aurie Pennick, Executive Director of the Field Foundation; Thomas Weitzel, Chief of the Riverside Police Department; Esther Franco-Payne, Program Director for Metropolis Strategies; David Rosa, Administrator at St. Leonard’s Ministries; Commissioner John Fritchey; Commissioner Edwin Reyes and Commissioner Deborah Sims.