Hundreds of crime survivors and families of murdered Illinoisians gathered at the statehouse today to urge lawmakers to expand support for crime victims and make communities safer. Crime survivors were joined by elected officials, including Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) and Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago), at Survivors Speak Illinois – organized by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) – with families holding photos of murdered loved ones and advocating for public safety reforms.

A statement from the Alliance for Safety and Justice on Governor Katie Hobbs signing into law HB 2055 – after passing the legislature with bipartisan support – which improves the probation system and supports the local economy.

Arizona crime survivors today praised the Senate for final passage of HB 2055 in a unanimous vote, which reforms probation to improve outcomes and support the local economy.

Hundreds of crime survivors and families of murdered Texans gathered at the statehouse today to urge lawmakers to expand support for crime victims and make communities safer. Crime survivors were joined by elected officials, including Senator Judith Zaffirini and Representative Mary González, at Survivors Speak Texas – organized by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) – with families holding photos of murdered loved ones and advocating for public safety reforms.

Hundreds of crime survivors and families of murdered Flordians gathered at the state capitol today to urge lawmakers to expand support for crime victims and make communities safer. Crime survivors were joined by elected officials at Survivors Speak Florida – an annual event organized by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) – with families holding photos of murdered loved ones and advocating for public safety reforms. 

Hundreds of crime survivors and families of murdered loved ones from 35 cities across Ohio gathered at the statehouse atrium today, urging lawmakers to expand support for crime victims and make communities safer. Crime survivors were joined by elected officials, including Reps. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) and Brett Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville), at Survivors Speak Ohio – an annual event organized by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) – with families holding photos of murdered loved ones and advocating for public safety reforms.

Survivors Applaud Passage of HB 2055 (Probation Credits), Which Passed the House Today on a 59-0 Bipartisan Floor Vote.

We stand as one with the victims, their loved ones, and those in the Alliance for Safety and Justice family who have been affected. No one deserves to be the victim of gun violence.

“What crime survivors want most is for what happened to us to never happen to anybody else. Our priority is to address the root causes of crime, so we can save lives and bring hope to our communities. Now that SB 288 has become law, the proven power of healing and rehabilitation will be felt in our communities that have been most impacted by violence. We thank Governor DeWine, Senator Manning, and those who have elevated and supported the concerns of Ohio crime survivors,” said Haleigh Young, Ohio member of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.

The final budget agreement for Federal spending will make $95 million available to states to support the implementation of policies that expunge old criminal records. The funding, available through the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP), adds to Congressional actions earlier this year that made $200 million available over the next five years  for NCHIP.