WASHINGTON Both of Illinois’ senators want to meet with U.S. Justice Department officials to talk about including the Chicago area in the department’s Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative.
Senator Dick Durbin says Chicago is home to some of the largest and most violent gangs in the country. However, the city has been left out of a program created to enhance the nation’s gang prevention.
Since April 18th, at least 54 shootings have taken place in the Chicago area, resulting in at least 15 deaths. Law enforcement officials have expressed concern that as the weather warms, gang violence will worsen.
In a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, Durbin and Senator Barack Obama asked that the Justice Department make reducing Chicago-area gang violence a top priority. (AP)
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