A community-centered approach to save lives

The current approach to gun violence is failing.

Already in 2026, Chicagoans have lost children, parents, and grandparents to gun violence. Families throughout Chicago are at a breaking point.

Our current Office of Violence Prevention was a step in the right direction. But in the current crisis, we need more. We need a comprehensive long-term plan to address gun violence - and a permanent department to implement that plan with community input and accountability.

885

people were shooting victims in 2025

Black people were victims of more than 73% of homicides in 2025

Chicago needs a comprehensive, community-centered plan to end gun violence and a permanent DEPARTMENT to tackle the issue from the ground up.

What would a new Department of Gun Violence Reduction do?

The new Department of Gun Violence Reduction will:

• Create a comprehensive, long-term plan to address violence

• Convene an advisory board led by experts, community leaders, and survivors of gun violence, to provide strategic direction, oversight, and accountability for progress on the plan

• Have procurement power to provide the resources necessary in communities to address gun violence

• Ensure a cohesive strategy across City agencies to leverage the full power of the City to address violence

For years, community members have advocated for this department to be established and made permanent through an ordinance. The goal of the ordinance is to create community accountability, long-term, and sustainable solutions, give the office grant-making power, and assurance that this office is not subject to be dissolved due to political priorities.

This department must be established by ordinance and have a minimum budget of $100M.