Representative West, along with State Senator Steve Stadelman and State Representative Dave Vella announced that Rockford has been selected as one of the cities to receive funding under the new Reimagining Public Safety Act.
As a result of the designation, Rockford will share in $50 million being spent statewide this year on frontline, community-based efforts to address addiction, mental illness, youth trauma and other underlying causes of firearm violence. Another $200 million is expected to be spent on RPSA programs in 2023 and 2024.
Representative West states that “The Reimagine Public Safety Act is coming to Rockford and will be a change agent to how we combat gun violence. I am particularly excited about the fact that we are investing in community organizations who have boots on the ground within the communities that are impacted the most by gun violence. Empowering the community to better the community is the true definition of reimagining public safety. I look forward to seeing how this investment makes Rockford a better place to work, live, and play.”