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CeaseFire funding eliminated

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* From a 2009 study of the state’s CeaseFire program…

CeaseFire’s interventions are “theory driven.” The program is built upon a coherent theory of behavior that specifies how change agents could be mobilized to address some of the immediate causes of violence: norms regarding violence, on-the-spot decision making by individuals at risk of triggering violence, and the perceived risks and costs of involvement in violence among the targeted population. Some of the program’s core concepts and strategies were adapted from the public health field, which has shown considerable success in addressing issues such as smoking, seat belt use, condom use, and immunization.

The evaluation of CeaseFire had both process and outcome components. The process portion of the project involved documenting how the program actually looked in the field. This included issues involved in selecting target neighborhoods, choosing local host organizations, and staffing, training, and management practices. The outcome evaluation used statistical models, crime hot spot maps and gang network analyses to assess the program’s impact on shootings and killings in selected CeaseFire sites. In each case, changes in the target areas after the introduction of the program were contrasted with trends in matched comparison areas. […]

An examination of the impact of CeaseFire on shootings and killings found that violence was down by one measure or another in most of the areas that were examined in detail. Crime mapping found decreases in the size and intensity of shooting hot spots due to the program in more than half of the sites. There were significant shifts in gang homicide patterns in most of these areas due to the program, including declines in gang involvement in homicide and retaliatory killings.

Even so, the program has its detractors. Its funding has always been controversial in the General Assembly, and Mayor Emanuel eliminated its million dollar grant in 2013. Also, the study’s authors admit that some of the crime declines might not be due to CeaseFire’s activities.

* Which brings us to this story…

CeaseFire, the highly regarded but sometimes controversial anti-violence program featured in the documentary “The Interrupters,” is losing state funding, the result of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s executive order freezing spending.

The program was budgeted to receive $4.7 million from the state in fiscal 2015, which ends June 30, according to Rauner’s proposed budget for fiscal 2016. The Rauner administration has proposed slashing CeaseFire’s funding almost 60 percent, to $1.9 million, in fiscal 2016. […]

CeaseFire was notified yesterday that its funding was suspended, effective immediately, in a letter sent by John Maki, executive director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, which administers the grant. The letter blamed the Illinois Legislature, saying it did not appropriate enough money for the program.

Maki was the former executive director of the John Howard Association of Illinois, a prison reform group, before his appointment by Rauner. Maki did not return a call requesting comment.

In his email, Arthur said CeaseFire will work to restore the state funding but was politic in asking supporters to refrain from “any attacks toward the governor and his administration.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 11:01 am

Comments

This is the type of program that I support cutting to help with the budget. If it was clear that it worked, I would be all for it, but there are many other programs competing for funds that have much better evidence that they are effective. We don’t have the luxury of funding programs that “may” work.

Comment by Pelonski Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 11:09 am
History repeating? Didn’t Blago cut their funding by about $6M as well?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 11:13 am
“The letter blamed the Illinois Legislature, saying it did not appropriate enough money for the program.”

If only to shift blame, someone in the Rauner administration finally acknowledged the legitimacy of another branch of government.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 11:19 am
If Ceasefire actually succeeded as it claims, this would be tragic news . But they do not. they routinely dismiss the efforts of police and take credit in areas where police resources are heavy, refuse to participate in relevant coalitions that have other crime fighting aims, and employ some wildly suspect individuals. The Attorney General, one of their chief champions, should have seen this long ago. This is one budget cut that is a long time coming. and Ceasefire should be a long time gone.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 11:42 am
A reasonable cut. Ceasefire was better at delivering stories, not safety. If money ever again becomes available, put it into law enforcement.

Comment by south side Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 11:43 am
At a certain point, you need to evaluate and measure program impact and be able to share the results. Google search showed they hadn’t published anything since 2007. Budget for research. Look at implementation across sites. Evaluate effectiveness wherever you can.

That said, $1 million is proposed for Ceasefire in FY16 and that kind of $ is nothing to sneeze at.

Comment by Politix Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 11:51 am
Completely disagree with those commenters who clearly have not reviewed the research on this. Ceasefire is enormously effective, not just here but around the country. This is a sad and short-sighted, but predictable, move.

Real people will be shot because of this cut. That’s not hyperbole. It’s history. When Rod cut their funding last time, shootings went up. So sad.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 11:58 am
===Completely disagree with those commenters who clearly have not reviewed the research on this.===

It may be effective, but if there’s research, it needs to be more accessible.

Comment by Politix Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 12:09 pm
Good riddance

Comment by Veritas Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 12:17 pm
@Chicago Cynic, they may be effective around the country, but it is absolutely not clear that the cuts are the reason shootings went up. have you spent time around them? the money would be better spent with law enforcement, which has a definite community approach and works well with in place social services. Mapping and connecting, law enforcement is doing much of what Ceasefire claimed to be about. the gang talking, questionable.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 12:40 pm
Who did the study?

Comment by Ed Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 12:44 pm
My gut feeling which could be completely wrong was that Cease Fire did raise awareness of violence in Maywood, at least in the beginning.

It seemed like it benefited from Hawthorne effect.

But I think there’s racism in play here too.

Cease Fire provides money to mostly Black people to reduce violence. And these Black people are asked to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt their work reduces violence.

But nobody applies this standard to police departments. Police departments can preside over high crime communities and rarely does anyone ask about effectiveness when they say they need more money for more cops.

In keeping with Bruce Rauner’s ideas on local control, maybe communities should vote on how much of their crime prevention budget goes to cops, Cease Fire, social workers and other specific programs.

But Bruce isn’t about local control, except when it’s a tool for union busting.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 12:50 pm
While I disagree with much of what the governor has proposed, this one is interesting.

Given the lengthy track record, the record of accomplishment is far from clear.

When the budget is limited, it makes sense to cut things that may not work.

Comment by Gooner Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 12:56 pm
“law enforcement, which has a definite community approach and works well with in place social services”

NOW we know what was going on at Homan Square!

Social Services Black Site!

Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 1:00 pm
I hope there is no Expansion of Welfare (”tax cuts”) for gun shops and sellers.

Gee, how about a tax on ammo to pay for this and insurance subsidies for people who become infected by Gun-Bola….or in other words get shot. Most shootings happen in the home.

Comment by Jack Stephens Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 1:03 pm
“But Bruce isn’t about local control, except when it’s a tool for union busting.”

Well stated.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 1:05 pm
Cease funding.

Comment by A guy Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 1:45 pm
But nobody applies this standard to police departments. Police departments can preside over high crime communities and rarely does anyone ask about effectiveness when they say they need more money for more cops.

What planet are you from? Every year departments have to justify spending, manpower, and support resources for both State and Federal grants as well as provide statistical data. The ISP have both sworn and civilian personnel dedicated to it. We call them “Bean Counters”. Not a exciting job but it has to be done or funding is witheld. And this applies to all departments in some sort of fashion. Go ask any Chief, Sheriff, or State Police Commander.

Comment by Kissfreak Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 2:11 pm
It’s simple. Grants are the biggest source of fraud and waste.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 2:56 pm
^ Thank you for that, Donna. By the way, get a REAL job!

Comment by low level Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 3:47 pm