IL HR1003

Chicago has the highest youth homicide rate in the nation, with homicide being the second leading cause of death for youth ages 14 to 24, with significantly higher rates among African-American males.

Violence results from complex interplay of biological, personal, relationship, social, cultural, and environmental factors, including poverty, physical deterioration, lack of institutional supports, and cultural norms that accept violence.

Three levels of public health violence prevention exist: primary prevention (before violence occurs), secondary prevention (immediate responses like emergency care), and tertiary prevention (rehabilitation and reintegration).

Faith-based and community organizations provide critical leadership and services including mentoring, parent counseling, after-school programs, neighborhood clean-ups, and street patrols to prevent youth violence.

The House of Representatives encourages faith-based organizations to develop universal violence prevention interventions in impoverished and at-risk Illinois communities through employment, educational campaigns, mentoring, and after-school programs funded by state and federal resources.