Will County Gazette

A bill to enact the Chicago Violence Prevention Act and provide more police officers across the city and county was introduced in the House of Representatives on Jan. 14 by Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-South Holland).

House Bill 327 will provide for the city to dedicate 200 officers to patrol streets and provide protection to prevent violence in specified wards, as well as requiring the state to provide 50 state troopers to assist in the protection. The bill doesn't mention where the money will come from for the new police officers but states that the city is responsible for the costs associated with the program.

The bill also creates a cease-fire location in high crime areas in each of the program's wards and provides that Chicago shall designate a program site in each cease-fire area at a place of worship, college or university where the program will be administered.

The bill will provide that a drug treatment program and a job training program be located at each program site and provides specifications for those programs. The bill will also provide assistance for business owners to work with the Cook County Land Bank Authority to target and remedy vacant homes.

If passed, the act will be effective on July 1, 2020.