Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County
Justice Advisory Council announced the plan last week and said
the program is funded through federal tax funds from the
American Rescue Plan Act.
The $5 million project was designed to directly respond to
increased levels of gender-based violence during the COVID-19
pandemic.
The federal dollars were given to the city for COVID-19
expenditures or negative economic impacts of COVID-19, including
assistance to families, small businesses, and different
industries.
Preckwinkle said the money could be used for programs such as
this one due to the pandemic.
"There has been a measurable increase in these patterns of
violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are responding
with a new initiative that will help ensure survivors and those
impacted by domestic violence have the resources and support
they need to lead safe and healthy lives," Preckwinkle said.
Earlier this year, a report by The Network Advocating Against
Domestic Violence showed that the Illinois Domestic Violence
Hotline received 32,363 contacts in 2021, a 9% increase from
2020.
The report also showed that in 2021, there were 121 domestic
violence-related shootings recorded by CPD, a 64% increase from
2020.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot spoke earlier this year about a
lack of resources for the victims of these crimes.
"More often than not, acts of gender-based violence are both
spurred and deepened by existing systemic inequities including
disinvestment, poverty, and a lack of services and more,"
Lightfoot said.
The program will fund counseling for survivors of domestic
violence, legal support, advocacy support in connecting victims
and survivors to resources through direct services, resource
referrals, staffing crisis hotlines, and also housing.
Andrew Hensel has years of experience as a
reporter and pre-game host for the Joliet Slammers, and as a
producer for the Windy City Bulls. A graduate of Iowa Wesleyan
University and Illinois Media School, Andrew lives in the south
suburbs of Chicago.![](column_spacer.png)
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