West Cook News

The Government Alliance for Safe Communities (GASC), a collaboration between the State of Illinois, Cook County, and the City of Chicago, has launched a new website aimed at enhancing community safety efforts in the greater Chicago region. The site, ILGovAlliance.org, serves as a resource for community-based organizations seeking grant opportunities and capacity-building resources.

“I’m thankful for this intergovernmental partnership, which is working to reduce community violence in our most impacted communities," said Quiwana Bell, IDHS Assistant Secretary Designate, Office of Firearm Violence Prevention. "At IDHS, we remain committed to advancing community safety, and this new website will ensure that violence prevention resources are accessible and available to everyone."

Established in 2021 to optimize federal COVID-19 American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding, GASC has since managed nearly $350 million in public funds directed toward community safety. The alliance includes leaders from state, county, and city funding agencies and collaborates with research and philanthropic partners to develop long-term sustainability strategies.

“Along with our partners, we recognize that active coordination, collaboration, and communication are critical to effectively and sustainably increase community safety in local communities," said Lanetta Haynes Turner, Chief of Staff for the Office of the Cook County Board President. "It is essential that we take a regional approach as the drivers and impacts of community violence extend beyond municipal lines."

GASC has focused on streamlining grant processes over the past three years. To support community-based organizations further, it has introduced the Capacity Building Resource Library. This hub offers resources categorized into Grant Readiness, Grant Administration, and Program Implementation and Performance.

“Capacity building is crucial for providing historically disinvested communities access to the resources they need to thrive,” said Delrice Adams, Executive Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA). “Last year, ICJIA launched capacity-building hub Institute to Innovate (i2i), offering technical assistance to small organizations committed to preventing violence.”

Despite elevated gun violence levels since the COVID-19 pandemic began nationwide—including Illinois—there have been notable reductions in community violence over the past two years. Overall homicides in Cook County have decreased by more than 20% from their peak in 2021.

"We are committed to centering community-based approaches to ensure lasting safety and peace," said Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood. "By focusing on both immediate and root causes of violence...we are building a unified response to the gun violence crisis.”

For more information on GASC initiatives or resources available through ILGovAlliance.org:

Contact: IDHS Press – DHS.Press@illinois.gov

Nick Mathiowdis – nicholas.mathiowdis@cookcountyil.gov

Laura Grossman – laura.grossman@cookcountyil.gov

Cristin Evans – cristin.evans@illinois.gov

Elena Ivanova – elena.ivanova@cityofchicago.org