SPRINGFIELD – As chants rose in the air – a sea of orange gathered beneath the statue of Lincoln, signs held with grief and hope – members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus stood alongside survivors, advocates and community leaders in a powerful call to action: fully fund the Reimagine Public Safety Act and end the epidemic of gun violence through community-led solutions.

“When we fund community organizations, prioritize healing, and give young people opportunities to thrive, we’re not just responding to violence – we’re preventing it. This is about putting resources where they belong: in our neighborhoods, with the people doing the work every day,” said State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago). “I’ll keep fighting to make sure our communities get what they need to feel safe, seen and supported.”

Every name lost to gun violence carries with it a story of stolen potential, of families left grieving and of communities struggling to heal. As gun violence continues to claim lives across the state, advocates at the Capitol demanded increased, sustained funding and legislative backing to fully realize the vision of the RPSA. Speakers highlighted the need to expand outreach efforts, support community-based organizations and treat gun violence as the public health crisis it is.

Passed in 2021, the RPSA laid the foundation for a community-driven approach to public safety in the state, focusing on evidence-based violence prevention programs, youth employment and trauma-informed support services. The rally in Springfield served as both a reminder and a call to action: Illinois must continue to invest in the people and organizations on the ground that often face limited resources.

“Community organizations are the ones on the front line doing the work – they know what safety looks like for our neighborhoods,” said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago). “It’s time for us to ensure public safety for everyone, and we do that by investing in these organizations and supporting good housing, schools, jobs and health care for all.” 

Villanueva and Peters will spend the following weeks advocating for Reimagine Public Safety Act funding.

View Peters' remarks: Lawmakers, advocates rally at Illinois Capitol to demand real soultions to gun violence