BY MIKE CETERA
Lawmakers have made a new pitch to Gov. Rod Blagojevich to restore funding to an anti-violence program with locations throughout the state -- including Aurora. CeaseFire Aurora shut its doors earlier this fall after Blagojevich vetoed funding for the fledgling program.
The funding bill filed this week can be found here.
State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia said in a press release, "the program has played a vital role in mitigating gang violence in Aurora. If we do not reinstate this money, we risk losing the positive work this program has done for communities across the state and we are putting children’s lives in danger.”
Locally, the success of CeaseFire is anecdotal only. No data has been released to the public to confirm the program's "vital role" in the community. And an unflattering report from the auditor general's office questioned the program's finances and organization.
Still, those involved in the program see its worth.
Dey Ferrel, a 15-year-old East Aurora High School student and CeaseFire volunteer, said the effects of the budget cut will be extremely detrimental."(CeaseFire) made us open our eyes," Ferrel said. "A lot of our friends died because of gangs. Now they're cutting off sports in our community and stuff and everyone will probably start gang banging again."
You'd think that the governor would have vetoed the program over, say concerns about its effectiveness. No, it's all part of the fight with House Speaker Mike Madigan.
If community leaders involved in the program want it restored, it should get another chance. But the money should be tied to some objective measure of CeaseFire's effectiveness.
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