Prairie State Wire

Gov. J.B. Prtizker (D) has expanded a state program aimed to end the firearm violence epidemic in Illinois by taking a "comprehensive approach" under a new law he signed earlier this month. 

The expansion Pritzker signed on Dec. 10 clarifies guidelines in the Reimagine Public Safety Act, which became law in June, and gave better grant making flexibility to the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, Capitol News Illinois reported. 

"The legislation I'm signing will advance our commitment to make that unprecedented commitment in public safety utilize data to inform where help is most needed, address both immediate needs and systemic change to reduce gun violence, and most importantly reach even more communities that have historically been left out and left behind," Pritzker said in a news conference the day he signed the legislation into law. 

Pritzker credited the lawmakers, who were mainly Democrats, who supported the legislation.

"Applications are now open for groups who can help train community organizations on the front lines, organizations that will deliver evidence-based violence interruption and prevention, Youth Development, and trauma-based services," Pritzker said during the news conference. 

The governor also noted that additional funding opportunities would be available to those Frontline Community Partners.

"We are all here to say enough is enough. In this state we are one Illinois and we stand up for one another," Pritzker said. "I came into this office committed to addressing the cycle of violence and its root cause: poverty, disinvestment, lack of access to healthcare. That means investing in education and employment in the human services and mental health to neighborhoods that have been truly forgotten."

According to records on the Illinois General Assembly website, the bill passed in the House 71-41 in October.

It took effect once Pritzker signed it into law.