A Cook County Board public comment highlighted the county's new observance of June as Gun Violence Awareness Month and credited ongoing Justice Advisory Council (JAC) funding with supporting local violence-prevention work.

Dr. Arturo Carrillo, Deputy Director of Health and Violence Prevention for the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, told commissioners that JAC funding helped the Southwest Side build a “comprehensive response to gun violence prevention” by linking school-based mentorship, clinical services and workforce supports. “This funding made it possible to bring together school-based mentorship and clinical services that identify young people in need while attending school,” Carrillo said. He cited partners including Centro Zanahoria, Polaire and outreach teams who connected youth and families to services.

The remarks came shortly before the board moved to act on several Office of the President items related to violence-prevention funding. Commissioner Bridal read motions referring three items — described in the agenda as reallocation and program resolutions for the Safe and Thriving Communities gun violence prevention and reduction initiative, the Cook County Community Violence Intervention Initiative, and the Cook County Wraparound Services for Survivors of Gun Violence Initiative — and the body recorded the motions as adopted.

Why it matters: Board-backed funding and the JAC's allocations support a range of services — clinical engagement in schools, community mental-health referrals, employment assistance and street outreach — that local providers say help reduce violence exposure and connect residents to supports.

Supporting details: Carrillo said the programs have reduced violent incidents in Brighton Park over the last three years and that continued JAC funding allowed agencies to expand case management, mentoring and clinical links. He framed the county proclamation as more than symbolic: “This, of course, goes beyond just a mere proclamation,” he said, adding that the designation signals continued county support for funded prevention work.

Board action: The motions to refer/approve the three Office of the President items were read into the record and the chair announced the ayes carried.

What’s next: The resolutions were sent to the Finance Committee for further action and appropriation detail. Carrillo and his partner organizations said they will continue to work with JAC and the county to deepen program connections in neighborhoods most affected by violence.