Senate Approves $18.5 Million For Kirk-Driven Anti-Gang Initiatives

Press Release

U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) announced today that $18.5 million in new federal resources to target dangerous drug gangs was included in the final 2014 annual spending package that passed the Senate tonight. These anti-gang resources are a result of Kirk's effort last July to boost federal funding to help Chicago and other communities throughout the nation combat gang violence.

"With $18.5 million in additional resources now allocated to tackle dangerous drug gangs and gun violence in Illinois and across the nation, we are one step closer to preventing unfortunate tragedies like the death of Hadiya Pendleton," Sen. Kirk said. "This effort will save lives."

Available funding for Kirk's anti-gang initiatives:

Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction: $8.5 Million
Funding to target gangs of National Significance: $7.5 Million
Gang and Youth Violence Education and Prevention: $2.5 Million
2014 Total: $18.5 Million

Source