Cook County has seen an increase in violent crimes. | Adobe Stock
Cook County has seen an increase in violent crimes. | Adobe Stock
In the wake of an increase in violent crimes in Cook County, the government is taking steps to address the issue.
Cook County is holding three upcoming virtual events to discuss "creating safe and thriving communities." Cook County is investing hundreds of millions of federal dollars in the next several years to address violent crime and bolster economic development.
"We're having conversations on violence prevention, but it's more than that, too," Cook County Government on posted on Facebook. "Join us to learn more about the plans Cook County and the State of Illinois have to create safe and thriving communities. Three opportunities available: April 26, April 28 and May 3."
The Cook County Government is holding three upcoming virtual events titled "Conversations: Safe & Thriving Communities," according to the Facebook event. Residents can tune in on April 26, April 28 or May 3 to learn how Cook County plans to use more than $300 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for violence prevention and economic development initiatives.
Cook County received more than $1 billion in federal funds through the ARPA, WTTW reported. $320 million of the funds will be used this year, with $60 million going toward violence prevention programs and $100 million going toward economic development projects. Another $60 million will go to "health and wellness" programs.
In the first three months of 2022, there were 508 shootings and 128 homicides in the city of Chicago, the Chicago Tribune reported. Carjackings in 2022 are up 3% compared to this time in 2021.
"I am hoping some of the resources that are coming down are actually making it to these efforts," Asiaha Butler, an Englewood community organizer, told the Tribune. "It shouldn’t be a story that crime is down. That should hopefully be the norm.”
Alerts Sign-up