Gun Violence Prevention
Every individual should have the right to live free from the fear of gun violence. The fact that 100 Americans die each day from guns is unacceptable. It's an epidemic that has affected communities in every part of our country, including our own. We must pursue common sense solutions to gun violence - including expanding background checks and banning the sale of military-style assault weapons. I am proud to join the vast majority of Americans who support these measures. Congress has a responsibility to protect innocent lives. Thoughts and prayers are not enough.
More on Gun Violence Prevention
Steve Lord, Aurora Beacon-News
Aurora has been awarded federal grant money to develop an online portal where people could report incidents to the Aurora Police Department.
U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, announced this week that the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program awarded Aurora and Elgin a total of $67,621.
The federal program awards money each year for a range of program areas, including law enforcement, crime prevention and education, technology improvement, mental health programs and more.
Felix Sarver, Joliet Herald-News
The city of Joliet was awarded almost $60,000 in federal funding to support efforts to prevent and fight crime.
On Sept. 23, the city received a $59,961 grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The grants are awarded nationwide to local governments to support activities that prevent and control crime based on state and local needs.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that Aurora and Joliet were awarded grants by the Department of Justice to prevent and control crime based on their local needs. These grants, created by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program, will provide the cities with critical funding to support a range of program areas, including law enforcement, crime prevention and education, technology improvement, mental health programs, and more.
Country Herald Staff Report, Country Herald
JOLIET – The Department of Justice awarded the City of Joliet nearly $60,000 today in an effort to control crime locally.
The money comes from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program and is designed to support law enforcement programs including law enforcement, crime prevention and education, technology improvement, mental health programs, and more.
Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced the grants Thursday. Joliet will receive $59,961 from the grant. Aurora will also receive $67,621 from the program.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban:
"Today, I was proud to vote for legislation to prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and high capacity magazines. This legislation would save lives and make our communities safer.
Naperville, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after a shooting took place at a WeatherTech facility in Bolingbrook, IL:
"Today, our community has been shattered by yet another act of senseless gun violence. Words cannot express the heartbreak the victims and their families are feeling right now. My thoughts are with them during these difficult times.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the most significant piece of gun violence legislation in nearly three decades. This package includes common sense gun safety measures to protect America's children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across the nation:
Washington, D.C. – Tonight, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting Our Kids Act, a package of critical, common sense gun safety measures:
"The mass shootings we've seen over the past few weeks – at a grocery store in Buffalo, a medical clinic in Oklahoma, and an elementary school in Texas – are more than heartbreaking. They have highlighted the extent to which political dysfunction has hurt our nation and failed our people.
Naperville Community Television
In a local response to the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, about 60 people gathered Saturday afternoon at the WWII memorial on Washington Street in downtown Naperville. The group was there in protest of the recent wave of mass shootings in the U.S. and to urge elected officials to take action. The crowd chanted "enough is enough," "end the violence now," and "no more guns."
Illinois Legislation
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced a House resolution to honor the victims of the shooting that took place at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois on February 15, 2019.
Five innocent people were killed and six police officers were injured when a shooter who was illegally in possession of a firearm opened fire at the Henry Pratt Company warehouse in Aurora.