Durbin on the state budget and violence
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WUIS…
Durbin said he’s glad Illinois has a stop-gap budget, but the year-long budget crisis didn’t help reduce violence in Chicago.
The short-term budget passed by the state at the end of last month restored funding for youth programs like Ceasefire and Redeploy Illinois. But Durbin said the budget stalemate exacerbated the problems people in the poorest neighborhoods in the state face, such as drug trafficking and gang activity. The year-long budget impasse meant Illinois cut off resources for anti-violence programs.
“I can’t specify that the state budget equals more violence,” he said. “I wouldn’t go that far. But I will tell you, it creates an environment of vulnerability.”
“The reasons for it are many, involving drug trafficking, involving gangs and broken families,” he said.
* Peoria’s public radio station added this bit…
Law enforcement agencies in the state said in March that program cuts to youth diversion programs and community-based services were increasing the likelihood of more crime.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:15 am:
environment of vulnerability
That’s a good way of saying it. As a person who works every day in that “environment” I can tell you that the budget issues have exacerbated every kind of problem from hunger to addiction. The people in this environment are both voiceless and unheard when they do have voice(s). We as a state and people need/must DO more, not just “think about” or “pray for” them.
- phocion - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:19 am:
Senator Durbin should be required to demonstrate with data how funding these programs reduce violence. A blanket statement that it works is nonsense. Some would argue that if violence is up (show us the statistics!), then it is attributable to the Ferguson Effect. For Durbin to bring up Cease Fire, the most pork laden, suspect program in recent Illinois history, is astonishing.
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:23 am:
When we properly fund programs for at-risk youth, to help them avoid engaging in acts of violence and find gainful activity, it is in our collective best interests.
I believe that how we treat our most vulnerable says a lot about our level of civilization, from providing healthcare to all kinds of other social services.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:39 am:
Anyone requiring hard data and provable statistics (and they’re not wrong to ask, not one but) should also be the first in line to ask Gov. Rauner for hard data and provable statistics on the Turnaround Agenda, and further, accepting “reforns” as the acceptable response highlights one set of rules for one, another set of rules for others.
Food for thought.
- allknowingmasterofracoondom - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:43 am:
Good food OW, what does that have to do with the post?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:47 am:
===Good food OW, what does that have to do with the post?===
Hmm.
===Senator Durbin should be required to demonstrate with data how funding these programs reduce violence.===
Please, keep up.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 10:02 am:
Stronger laws targeting repeat gun offenders and gun crime in general would go a long way in reducing violence in Chicago.
- allknowingmasterofracoondom - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 10:05 am:
Trying OW, but the post was about anti violence program funding and somehow went to Rauners TA agenda.
Is that like the “but Madigan” thing creeping in?
- yinn - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 10:07 am:
The effectiveness of CeaseFire, Cure Violence, Safe treets, and other data-driven, community-based programs is not in dispute. Studies of these programs support the public-health model of approach to violence reduction.
https://www.crimesolutions.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?ID=207
http://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/web-assets/2012/01/evaluation-of-baltimore-s-safe-streets-program
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/227181.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23440488
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 10:31 am:
===Is that like the “but Madigan” thing creeping in?===
No.
I fed you. I was clear. If you can’t see the point, it’s on you. I’m moving on.
- Rick Zoner - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:06 am:
State budget will fix its self when the pain becomes to much and the state starts living within its means. As for the violence, “most” non violence programs seems to be political fund tools. To stop the violence one must change from a violence culture. Unless the culture is changed, all these programs are just a burden on all tax payers.
- Warthog - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:12 am:
Durbin is the senior senator of this state. He should work with all involved in Chicago to find a solution to the violence.
Dick, don’t worry about student loan interest, a soda tax, chewing tobacco use in MLB.
Focus on curbing the violence in your second home town.
- phocion - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:13 am:
OW,
If you can’t respond to my post without bringing up Rauner, please refrain from demonstrating your Rauner-derangement syndrome for the world to see. My post goes to unsubstantiated claims made by SENATOR DURBIN (see, it’s even spelled differently than Governor Rauner). Yes, OW, you are being a troll. Knock it off.
- allknowingmasterofracoondom - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:21 am:
OW - well I get it better now, as I see your post was attributed to the phocion post, not mine. But it still seems like the “but but Madigan” syndrome in reverse. Thanks for feeding me. I will try and return the favor some time soon, you seem a bit hungry today.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:23 am:
- phocion -
I’m not being a troll…
If the discussion for value circles around measurables, we should all keep that in mind.
I, too, would like to see the measurables that Sen. Durbin is discussing. The plan sounds “great”, but nothing to measure it.
Hmm.
Sounds familiar(?)
- Jimmy H - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:37 am:
The people living in these environments of vulnerability need economic hope. I think something like a “Marshall Plan” is needed for the communities devastated by violence. A perfect opportunity for a public/private partnership.