Lake County budget hearings put State’s Attorney’s gun-violence prevention request under scrutiny; board asks for short-term bridge options

The State’s Attorney urged Lake County officials to fund a multi‑component gun‑violence prevention initiative after legislative money that would have covered the program has not yet been released by the state. The office requested a one‑year county appropriation to sustain street outreach, peacemakers and mediation services while longer‑term state or private funding is pursued. The State’s Attorney said the full one‑year figure is about $1.877 million and that a five‑year commitment would total about $8.9 million.

County Administrator Patrice Sutton told members the budget process had already recommended a conservative…