Lake County State's Attorney's Office Announces Agency That Will Manage Gun Violence Prevention Initiative

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Lake County State's Attorneys Office


OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
ERIC F. RINEHART
STATE'S ATTORNEY

November 3 2022

 

For Immediate Release
Contact: Sara Avalos
(224) 374-2376 
savalos@lakecountyil.gov

 


Lake County State's Attorney's Office Announces Agency That Will Manage Gun Violence Prevention Initiative Program


GVPI 11.03

Pictured left to right, Eric Rinehart, Sara Knizhnik, Marc Jones, and GVPI Youth Outreach Coordinator Trey Baker.


(Lake County, IL) Today, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office is proud to announce the selection of the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism and Waukegan Township as the agency that will manage the Gun Violence Prevention Initiative’s (GVPI) violence interrupter program. The funds that are being provided to the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism and Waukegan Township from the LCSAO’s GVPI will be used to hire a program manager and 3 teams of interrupters who will work primarily in Waukegan, North Chicago, and Zion.  

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart stated, “This selection is critical to the short-term safety and long-term security of our communities in Lake County. Through our local, state, and federal grants, we are building a program that will last for years. We are so thrilled to be partnering with the Coalition, which has a track record of success in all Lake County communities.”   

Waukegan Township Supervisor Marc Jones stated, “With the influx of violence - specifically gun violence - plaguing our communities, we would first like to acknowledge Lake County State's Attorney Rinehart for his forward-thinking approach.  We collectively agree that the responsibility to act belongs to each of us, and the time is now. Waukegan Township and the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism, are extremely humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve as fiscal agents and administrators for the GVPI.  The intentions of the GVPI are in alignment with the overall objective of the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism, particularly due to the provision of necessary resources and wrap-around services, essential in lessening violent crimes.  As lifelong Lake County residents, we fully believe this is a legacy building opportunity, not only impacting those of us here today, but creating and sustaining a viable and impactful program for generations to come.” 

On June 3, 2022, the Lake County State’s Attorney announced the formation of the GVPI and invited community organizations to submit proposals to manage teams of violence interrupters. In collaboration with law enforcement, educational leaders, and other community-based organizations, the GVPI will address the long-term root causes of gun violence. At the same time, the interrupters will rapidly address and de-escalate the day-to-day gun violence that has been increasing since 2017 in Lake County.  

One of the leaders in the formation of the GVPI and the Chair of Implementation, Sara Knizhnik, stated, “The GVPI is founded on the clear knowledge that we must prioritize ending the gun violence that happens every day in our most vulnerable communities. By putting professional violence interrupters at the center of the work and then building an infrastructure of support around them to address root causes of gun violence, we will make all residents of Lake County safer.” 

Rinehart noted that the GVPI was made possible with an initial investment by the Lake County Board through an ARPA allocation and with the additional funding support provided through budget legislation from State Representative Rita Mayfield and Senator Adriane Johnson. The funding will provide for a program manager, a youth outreach coordinator, 13 interrupters, and technical assistance from national training programs.    

The GVPI will also be aided by Marcus McAllister, a nationally renowned interrupter trainer and Lake County resident. McAllister has been integral in setting up dozens of violence interrupter programs throughout the country for nearly 20 years.   

McAllister stated, “The opportunity to work in the community that I call home to reduce gun violence is dear to my heart. I have helped numerous organizations throughout the country launch successful violence interrupter programs. I expect nothing less here, especially with the broad support that the GVPI is providing, and the strong community relationships built by the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism and the Township.”  

Township and Coalition personnel request that individuals interested in the interrupter position send all inquiries to tsprings@waukegantownship.com. 


Lake County State's Attorney's Office
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085  
Phone: (847) 377-3000