Cook County Awards $4.2 Million to Support Gun Violence Survivors in Suburbs (Cook County, IL) — Cook County is awarding $4.2 million in grants to nine community-based organizations serving survivors of gun violence in suburban communities experiencing elevated rates of shootings, county officials announced Sept. 18.
The funding comes through the Cook County Wraparound Services for Survivors of Gun Violence initiative, known as CC-SGV, which supports services including crisis intervention, emergency financial assistance and behavioral health care.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said the grants are intended to help individuals and families address the long-term effects of gun violence while strengthening communities affected by trauma.
“Every life lost to gun violence is a person, a family and a community forever changed,” Preckwinkle said. “We’ve made real progress in driving down gun violence in Cook County, but too many families are still living with its aftermath.”
Preckwinkle said the county’s investment focuses on helping survivors heal rather than simply cope with the consequences of violence.
According to the county, gun homicides have declined by approximately 50% over the past four years when compared with 2021. However, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office had confirmed 334 gun homicides as of Labor Day 2026, compared with 312 at the same point in 2025.
The CC-SGV initiative began in 2025 with an initial $5 million investment focused on services in Chicago. The latest round expands the program into suburban Cook County municipalities with elevated rates of gun violence.
The Cook County Justice Advisory Council manages the initiative and other community safety investments. The program is designed to address gaps in services by expanding existing programs, improving access to assistance and strengthening coordination among organizations serving people affected by gun violence.
JAC Executive Director Avik Das said community input played a role in determining how the latest funding would be distributed.
“We are proud to be making strategic, data driven investments that are also grounded in perspectives that come directly from communities,” Das said. “When it comes to reducing gun violence, community engagement is essential.”
As part of the grant planning process, the JAC held four community listening sessions in Chicago Heights, Dolton, Harvey and Maywood. About 100 residents participated across the sessions, providing input that helped shape the priorities for the funding opportunity.
Cook County Commissioner Dr. Kisha E. McCaskill said directing resources toward South suburban communities can help survivors and families obtain services while also creating opportunities for larger organizations to work with smaller community-based groups.
The nine organizations receiving funding include Live Free Illinois and OAI. Live Free Illinois plans to expand its Community Healing Resource Center model across South Suburban Cook County through partnerships with 25 faith organizations. The program will connect residents with trauma-informed mental health care, somatic healing, case management and other support services.
OAI will use its grant to build on its workforce development programming and provide additional support to survivors and families who have lost loved ones to gun violence. The organization said its services will include assistance navigating resources and coordinated support for families dealing with the aftermath of violence.
The county said the latest grants are part of a broader effort to provide stabilizing services to residents affected by gun violence, as well as individuals considered most likely to become involved in a shooting.
More information about the CC-SGV initiative and other Cook County community safety grant opportunities is available through the Cook County Justice Advisory Council.
Cook County Awards $4.2 Million to Support Gun Violence Survivors in Suburbs
