Chicago: Public Investments in Community Violence Intervention Contributed to Public Safety Gains, New Report Finds
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CHICAGO — Communities receiving higher levels of public investment in Community Violence Intervention (CVI) experienced increased services, stronger program participation and the largest public safety gains, according to a new 2025 impact report released today by the Government Alliance for Safe Communities (GASC). The analysis, prepared by Northwestern University's Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research and Science (CORNERS), highlights the positive association between coordinated public investment and improved community outcomes in Chicago.

CVI is an evidence-based approach to reducing violence that leverages street outreach, case management and social services to reach and support people most at risk of being involved in an instance of gun violence, as a victim or a perpetrator.

The impact analysis examines funding data from all GASC agencies, available program data reported by GASC funded CVI programs and public safety data of shooting incidents in the City of Chicago. The analysis resulted in three key findings outlined in the report:
  • Key Finding 1: Levels of service provision and participation in CVI programs increased with public investment.
  • Key Finding 2: Public investment in CVI is going to the communities with the highest levels of violence.
  • Key Finding 3: Chicago Community Areas with the highest average level of public investment in CVI showed the largest public safety gains.  

"2025 marked a historic milestone for the City of Chicago, with violent crime reaching a 60-year low. This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication, strategic coordination, and strong partnerships among city agencies, community organizations, and residents working together to make our neighborhoods safer," said Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Garien Gatewood. "The GASC's sustained investment and collaboration with local CVI groups have proven to be highly effective, addressing local hot spots and community needs while preventing potential violent incidents before they happen. The progress detailed in this report affirm that the City of Chicago's community centered approach to CVI is producing meaningful results."

"This impact report affirms that public sector investments in CVI are reaching the right people and contributing to safer communities," said Lanetta Haynes Turner, Chief of Staff for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. "The GASC has developed a model of active, cross-sector collaboration and strategic investment that is proving to be a model for meeting our biggest challenges. We remain committed to this work in 2026 and beyond."

On top of other community safety investments, GASC agencies have collectively awarded $248 million in CVI funding since 2022. Over 27,000 people have been served by these GASC funded CVI programs. Targeted public investment in CVI is part of a cross-sector effort between local government, philanthropy and the business community to scale and sustain funding for CVI in Chicago to promote continued progress towards long term community safety.

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"The State of Illinois continues to lead the nation in developing and implementing comprehensive community safety investments that drive meaningful change at the community level," said Quiwana Bell, Assistant Secretary of Firearm Violence Prevention at the Illinois Department of Human Services. "We are proud to demonstrate what is possible through shared commitment and strong collaboration across all levels of government."

"The CORNERS Impact Report underscores the value of community violence intervention and other community-driven initiatives to prevent violence," said Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Executive Director Delrice Adams. "This is why, despite a shifting federal landscape, Illinois continues to invest in communities impacted by violence, poverty, and other systemic issues. Our goal is to replace generational trauma with sustained resources that build safer, more resilient neighborhoods."

Comprised of leadership and key representatives from funding agencies at the State of Illinois, Cook County and City of Chicago, the GASC works to strengthen the community safety ecosystem in the greater Chicago region. Formed in 2021, the initial focus of the GASC was to collaboratively respond to the gun violence crisis and maximize the impact of federal Covid-19 relief funding designated for community safety. The GASC is now focused on maximizing the impact of local funding, streamlining grant solicitations and data collection practices as well as enhancing support for local community-based organizations.

Northwestern CORNERS serves as an independent evaluator for the GASC. The partnership between CORNERS and the GASC was established in 2022 to document and evaluate the unpresented collaborative process among government agencies and support their shared understanding of the impact of public investments made across levels of government in local communities.

"As the local CVI infrastructure continues to expand, it's essential to understand the impact of public sector investments in the work," said Andrew Papachristos, Faculty Director of CORNERS. "Our research partnership with GASC is an important step toward improved community safety for all Illinoisans."

The full 2025 GASC Impact Report is available at: cornersresearch.org/resources and ILGovAlliance.org/impact

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GASC Entities and Media Contacts

The Mayor's Office of Community Safety (MOCS) is committed to investing intentionally in people and communities through the full force of government and a community-driven approach. It was established by Mayor Brandon Johnson to systemically promote community safety by addressing root causes and rapidly response to specific community safety challenges through trauma-informed and community-based interventions. In December 2023, MOCS launched the People's Plan for Community Safety, which addresses both the immediate and root causes of violence, focusing on high-opportunity neighborhoods and those most acutely impacted.

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The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), through its Office of Violence Prevention and Community Safety Coordination Center, supports the implementation of the People's Plan for Community Safety. This includes investments in street outreach, victim support, and intervention services. CDPH also works to improve City coordination strategies and response methods that address root causes such as trauma, community blight, and lack of opportunities.

Contact: Mayor's Press Office - press@cityofchicago.org

Cook County Office of the President: Cook County is the second largest county in the United States representing 5.2 million residents in Illinois. The President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cook County and oversees the Offices Under the President and presides as president of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.

Contact: Cara Yi, Deputy Chief of Staff of Communications – cara.yi@cookcountyil.gov

Cook County Justice Advisory Council: The Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC) coordinates and implements Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's criminal and juvenile justice reform efforts and community safety policy development. The mission of the JAC is to promote equitable, human-centered, community-driven justice system innovation and practice through rigorous stakeholder engagement, policy work, service coordination, and grantmaking that increases community safety and reduces reliance on incarceration.

Contact: Laura Grossman, Public Relations Specialist – laura.grossman@cookcountyil.gov

The Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) within the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) was created in 2021 as a result of the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA) which structured a comprehensive responding to the public health emergency of firearm violence in Illinois. Under the RPSA, OFVP increases community capacity to address the root causes of violence through funding, street outreach, case management and victim services, and youth development programs.

Contact: IDHS Press – DHS.Press@illinois.gov

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) is a state agency dedicated to improving the administration of criminal justice. ICJIA brings together key justice system leaders and the public to identify critical criminal justice system issues and to propose and evaluate policies, programs, and legislation that address those issues in a fair and equitable manner. The statutory responsibilities of ICJIA fall under the categories of grants administration, research and analysis, policy and planning, and technology.

Contact: Cristin Evans, Deputy Communications Director – cja.media@illinois.gov

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