To my dad, gun violence is personal. He understands how gun violence can affect individuals, families and communities. He wants to make sure everyone affected can get the help they need and, most of all, he wants to stop this violence from happening in the first place.

My dad believes Illinois can become the kind of state to which all others look for help in understanding how to combat gun violence.

When violence spiked in the 1990s, Illinois made a commitment to invest in community policing. Crime and gun violence declined.

Unfortunately, budget pressures, divestment in public education, reduction of our police force, reduction in diversion programs, and divestment in anti-violence programs from the state have resulted in an increase in gun violence.

But it doesn’t have to be like this. We will not stop this violence unless we transform neighborhoods from places where people are merely trying to survive into communities where they can thrive.

Hearing my dad’s story and seeing what is happening across our state, I know that we must and will act to rise up as one and end gun violence. 

Thank you,

Kate Kennedy

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