Committee votes to fund CeaseFire

Add comment January 9th, 2008

A House committee voted unanimously today to restore funding for CeaseFire, the anti-violence program. In fact, the committee voted to double the program’s funding.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich cut 100 percent of the program’s state funding — $6.25 million — when he vetoed parts of the state budget in August. His cut included $250,000 slated for Rockford CeaseFire, all but killing off the local program.

House lawmakers moved to restore the funding in the fall but the Senate — a chamber led by Senate President Emil Jones Jr., the governor’s ally — blocked the effort.

On Wednesday, the committee voted to spend $12.5 million on CeaseFire programs around Illinois, including $500,000 in Rockford. The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

Rep. Chuck Jefferson, D-Rockford, praised the committee vote. He said local law enforcement officials believe in the value of the program.

“If they’re convinced it works, that’s good enough for me,” he said.