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Chicago Mayor Announces Extension of Financial Assistance Program for Victims of Gun Violence
CHICAGO (CBS) – Mayor Brandon Johnson announced plans Thursday to extend the city’s financial assistance program for families affected by gun violence.
The Supplemental Emergency Victims Fund began in 2022 under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and originally served five communities. It is now growing to 10 more neighborhoods, providing about $10 million over the next three years. The program expansion will be funded with federal stimulus money.
The goal is to alleviate the financial burden and trauma for survivors of gun violence and their families. The mayor’s announcement came two days after the death of 7-year-old Jai’mani Amir Rivera, who was shot outside his family’s West Side apartment complex.
“When a 7-year-old leaves home and is shot, it is an indication of the failures of previous administrations who were intent on leaving our communities behind,” Johnson said.
Johnson said communities where financial assistance is available to shooting victims and their families were chosen not only because they face high levels of violent crime, but also because they have seen a history of disinvestment and school closures.
“This crisis did not simply appear with a bullet. This crisis appeared when previous administrations decided to give up on these communities,” Johnson said.
Chicago expands financial assistance for victims of gun violence
Eligible Chicagoans can receive up to $1,000 in assistance for basic needs — such as medical expenses, child care and groceries — up to $1,000 more for temporary moving costs and an additional $1,500 for funeral or burial costs. More than 80% of candidates were approved.
Kevin Edwards, who was a victim of gun violence last year, said he used the money he received through the program to help pay his medical bills.
“The program is beneficial and I believe in it,” he said.
To qualify, applicants must have been the victim of a shooting within the last calendar year. Families of homicide victims can also apply if the shooting happened last year.
Applicants must also live in one of 15 community areas: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Chicago Lawn, East Garfield Park, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, Humboldt Park, Back of the Yards, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Lawndale, South Shore, West Englewood, West Garfield Park or West Pullman.
In addition, family members of any homicide victim aged 24 or younger are eligible, regardless of where they live, if the homicide occurred in the city.
Eligible survivors or their immediate family must work with a victim advocate to apply for funding through the program in the area of the community where the shooting occurred or where they live. More information is available on the city’s website.
So far, more than 200 victims of gun violence have used the fund.
“There are many more people in need, many more people who need our support, and that is why we are making this strong commitment today,” Johnson said.
The announced expansion of the program comes in the wake of overnight violence in Chicago, with several people injured in shootings across the city.
One woman is dead and another is in the hospital after a shooting near 31st Street Beach on Chicago’s South Side shortly after 10 p.m. Officers at the scene found a 22-year-old woman who had been shot three times. She died in the hospital.
The second woman, aged 20, is expected to recover from her physical injuries. The police did not arrest anyone.
Shortly after 2 a.m., in the Woodlawn neighborhood, a man was shot to death and another was injured.
Police said two men in their 30s were in a vacant lot near 67th Street and Langley Avenue when someone shot at them.
No one is in custody.