Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago

CEASE FIRE, THE CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE SHOOTING

October 1, 2007

The Honorable Rod Blagojevich Governor, State of Illinois
Via Fax Transmission: 312-814-6183
Attn: Gerardo Cardenas

Dear Governor Blagojevich:

We are writing with great concern on behalf of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago. Members of the Council are chief leaders of Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox and Oriental, Jewish and Islamic faith traditions and organizations.

We have learned that money to fund CEASE FIRE, THE CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE SHOOTING, has been stricken from the State’s pending budget. The loss of funding for this outstanding community program will do great harm to many of the neighborhoods of our city and state.

Out of our faith commitments members of the Council joined with many other leaders and citizens in endorsing and encouraging CEASE FIRE from it’s inception. CEASE FIRE has reduced gun violence, random killings, and destructive gang behavior as no other program has. The shut down of CEASE FIRE has already been accompanied by a rise in killings. Its elimination would be deeply regrettable.

We urge your reconsideration of the funding of CEASE FIRE, THE CAMPAIGN TO STOP THE SHOOTING, and take action to restore the funding of this critically needed organization.

Sincerely yours

Rev. Claude Christopher
President