Chicagoist: Blago's $150 Million Plan To End Youth Violence

Howard1

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:01:26 -0600

CeaseFire evaluation is actually available today. Its a really extensive report of all that the program does and what works about the program. http://www.northwestern.edu/ipr/publications/ceasefire.html

Spook

Wed, 07 May 2008 14:04:09 -0600

Yea, I know CeaseFire works with ALSO in Logan Square, but I didn't know they work with other organizations and honestly I don't really know what ALSO does except that a friend's wife works there. My bad on this. As far as how the shooting issue connects with the land issue is that kids are killing each other over drug territory, yet they don't own the land. And to kill some one means that you are willing to sacrifices your life to take another life. What if those extreme emotions and willingness to die could be turned toward the good of the community? In certain ways I have more respect for wayward youth in the inner city than the middle class and the church going folk because the youth are trying to define and chart a course in a world that at best dosen't care about them. And while they are tragically and deeply misdirected, they are still "in action" Unlike alot of church folks and middle class in those communities who are zombies. But with that being said. Perhaps I'm asking too much from Ceasefire because there is such a great need and Ceasefire is visible, which is good.

Howard1

Wed, 07 May 2008 11:50:41 -0600

Spook, I agree completely with the need for indigenous organizations. Thats one of the biggest selling points on CeaseFire for me. They subcontract out to small indigenous organizations in the communities. Most of the state money that CeaseFire gets goes right to these organizations. In fact, the auditing problems that CeaseFire faced goes back to the difficulty they had in contracting out to so many small organizations, many of whom were ill equipped to deal with careful state auditing. In terms of the land issue you discuss, I see it as very important, but separate from the shooting issue. I know decreasing violence makes it easier to gentrify, but we have to worry about saving lives separate from the gentrification debate. How do deal with the land issue? I will sign on to any good ideas I hear. One is getting more participation and giving more power to community groups and stopping developers from taking over these groups. Not sure how CeaseFire could be involved in this, but I agree its very important. I see the land issue and affordable housing becoming very big as the gas prices continue to increase and people start to see the benefits of living close to work. I don't know how that will play out, but we'll be on the same side of that debate.

Spook

Wed, 07 May 2008 11:05:37 -0600

Howard1 For the record, I’m interested in nothing less than the truth, which is why I got into a cyber tussle with a LakeFront GooGoo Lib. who kept "insisting" that the Chicagoist community( I'f I might be so bold) donate to a poverty pimping social service agency that she held up as the second coming for the down trodden. Yet she was not able to take hard questions as you have been able too or put forward a solid case as you have for Ceasefire, so salute. My only concern is the amount of funding Ceasefire gets as opposed to other "indigenous" organizations that focus on a holistic approach and pedagogy in combating community violence. Often who gets funded is about race. But in all honesty I know that Slutkin hustles, elbows, and fights hard for his organization. Further the connections he’s made in government certainly were not handed to him. And he has shown that he is not afraid to turn on a hand that feeds him, if he thinks that hand should do more. So in all honesty, I guess I have no beef except philosophical in that what good is “ceasing the fire” when soon the shooters, the shot, and all in between will be kicked out of their communities via Daley’s boot? Perhaps Ceasefire just makes the Ethnic cleansing a little easier for city hall? Don’t take this to mean that the shooting needs to continue, I just think Ceasefire needs to insert a progressive pedagogy based on the “politics of the land and its control” I also think that they should be in the classroom as well. But the fact is that this is arm chair quarterbacking, so let me just say salute to Ceasefire for its bravery and I hope to see more community collaborations with progressive indigenous organizations and not just the church as I think it has been a failure to the community.

Howard1

Wed, 07 May 2008 09:59:04 -0600

Luke: Conflict Mediation + Public Health strategy = groundbreaking work. I know conflict mediation has been done before, its the two together. Prevention work, I couldn't agree with you more. But as you say, we can't write off those already in gangs. Spook: If you don't believe the stats that I used, there will be a full evaluation of the program released this summer that will fully support my argument. Some results were released at an event a couple weeks ago. They say that CeaseFire was very successful at reducing violence and hooking up clients with jobs, education, etc. As for training, I happen to know an individual who was hired by the program specifically to do training for the outreach workers and violence interrupters. They go through continual training all year. Robin Hood has nothing to do with the training. Yes, the audit says "unaccounted for" but read deeper and it basically says the funds weren't allocated in time. Land and politics? I say its about money and jobs. Many of the kids already know the violence is pointless, but what choice do they have?

luke

Tue, 06 May 2008 23:15:28 -0600

Totally unrelated, but another important example of the evil that is Rod is his recent threat to close the prison in Pontiac. I grew up in Pontiac, my family is there, and the town needs the prison, both for the jobs and the revenue it generates. Pontiac is already struggling, and it doesn't need this. Not long ago, Rod was pushing to close part of Stateville in Joliet, while the state senator representing Pontiac was pushing for the recall amendment that was voted down in the senate last week. The senator representing Joliet voted against that amendment. Shockingly, this week Rod's administration is pushing to keep all of Stateville open and close Pontiac instead. Coincidence? It's one thing to make empty promises that can't be funded -- like a $150 million program to stop violence. It's something else entirely, and all the more disgusting, to mess with the lives of a blue-collar, struggling community because someone pissed someone else off. Just my 2 cents...

Spook

Tue, 06 May 2008 20:02:45 -0600

Folks be getting all deep up in here!

fed up

Tue, 06 May 2008 19:08:10 -0600

Blago loves to make big promises and then not fund them. Alot of blagos programs to deal with violence are nice to propose now lets see him come up with the money. Blagos all about the media circus making these announcements but the money never shows. But he got on TV making the ignorant voters think hes doing his job

luke

Tue, 06 May 2008 17:54:08 -0600

"Treating violence as a public health problem with conflict mediation is ground breaking work that has never been done before." Howard, have you read Street Wars by Tom Hayden? CeaseFire is not the first such effort, and he has been preaching conflict mediation for years with limited results. Whether that is due to lack of support/funding is certainly debatable, though. The problem (I think) is that if you wait for people to get into the life, you're only going to get so many of them out of it. I'm not saying we should write off people who are already in gangs or inclined to commit violence, only that remediation solves only part of the problem. No prevention program will keep everyone out of harm's way, either, but maybe attacking the problem from both ends is better. Not attacking you, Howard, as you have already acknowledged that CeaseFire isn't a complete solution.

Spook

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:51:18 -0600

Howard, I bet I know more about Ceasefire than you do or like Tupac said “I get around” And to cite a funder's board report is almost as ridiculous as comparing Ceasefire’s budget with the Iraq war, as opposed to other non profits engaged in violence reduction work. Also challenging the status qou is not just about the elimination of violence, it’s about justice, ask Nelson Mandela or read Fanon, I’m sure Slutkin has and would make this case. Not that it’s a case for violence per say. I'm just saying it’s a lot more complicated than just stopping the violence in a society were political violence runs not just unchecked, but also is promoted by both liberals and conservatives alike. And tossing around "over 1300 high risk gang members as clients who they have helped to get jobs and leave the gang life" is specious as your crime reduction quote "from 2000-2004 homicides and shootings were way down in Chicago with Ceasefire. Since it was cut in August, shootings and homicides have skyrocketed." And to say that CeasFire's "violence terminators" or what ever they’re called have substantial violence training is an insult to the field, unless something has changed inside the organization. If so tell me what outside organization provides the training? I know Slutkin has these skills, but he can't train every body. Perhaps it’s delegated to "Rev. Robin Hood"? And again the audit report stated clearly that funds were not accounted for. Perhaps Chicagoist can post the report? Not that I think Slutkin is dishonest, but again they are organizations out there doing real cutting edge work, that are not connected to Mike Madigan, but who get nothing. Let me toss one more thing at you Howard. Have you noticed how the three largest Street Gangs in Chicago were allowed to exist as long as they didn't get political? I know this will not make sense to you, but it’s not about violence, it’s about land and politics. I have found that if you teach a child those lessons, they quickly come to understand the pointlessness of violence in their community, no disrespect to the book called "Why We Hate" that Slutkin recommends. I say it's politics or biology. Spook out

Howard1

Tue, 06 May 2008 15:36:48 -0600

Sucks up money? the highest point in CeaseFire's funding was just over $6 million. That is less than 5% of the current proposal. Thats about 5 minutes of Iraq War funding. Doesn't challenge the status quo? You are obviously unfamiliar with the program. Treating violence as a public health problem with conflict mediation is ground breaking work that has never been done before. No real training? Again, you are unfamiliar with the program, there is substantial training. Use the money to fund programs in other states?? Do you really think that the state of Illinois would allow that. Rest assured there are careful reporting requirements for programs such as these. CeaseFire does much more than address violence in progress. They had over 1300 high risk gang members as clients who they have helped to get jobs and leave the gang life. There is much more to the program than you are aware of. read this: http://www.rwjf.org/files/publications/books/2005/chapter_06.pdf I agree that CeaseFire is only one element, but it is an important element. from 2000-2004 homicides and shootings were way down in Chicago with CeaseFire. Since it was cut in August, shootings and homicides have skyrocketed. Coincidence? I know what the state audit said, I read it. There are some things in there, but what is in there is not misuse of funds. Its not appropriating funds in a timely manner. There is a big difference.

matty

Tue, 06 May 2008 15:11:57 -0600

"Free unicorn rides for seniors!" lol

Spook

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:46:51 -0600

Howard The State Audit says other wise. But I look forward to more information. Interesting that you say we need "more than talk" as Slutkin's army is just that. They have no real conflict mediation training. Being from the streets is nothing with out training in most cases. And I'm not suggesting talk, I'm suggesting class room based curriculums infused in English, history and all social sciences which I have seen work because it has the ability to engage students intellectually and emotionally. I agree with Dig. Ceasefire is one small element, but its pure folly to rely on it as the only element. Ceasefire sucks up so much funding that more effective methods get "crowded out" because Ceasfire doesn’t challenge the status quo, which is why Politicians love it, with the exception of the Black Caucus in Springfield. Not that they as a group are doing any thing better.

Dig

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:18:52 -0600

Ceasefire is ONE element of what should be a larger sollution. They address violence in progress or at least try to prevent retaliation, as opposed to creating opportunities that could distract a kid from joining up with gangs in the first place. Giving Ceasefire $150 million would be BAD - especially if it will be used to promote programs in other states. Whatever funds the state comes up with should be diversified among several programs targeting the various aspects of this issue. What's the saying? Save the music y'all? Same thing. Give a person a reason not to fuck up - one that doesn't seem impossible. Rod didn't come up with this plan himself, and saying it's a good idea that should be supported doesn't mean he isn't a giant tool and mis-managing things.

igo

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:14:15 -0600

He pulled the same stunt right before the last election with his Health Insurance for All Children program or something. He held rallies where he bussed in used DCFS kids (who wouldn't even qualify for the program) to use as photo ops. And apparently this kind of stuff works for him because he got elected--again. Free unicorn rides for seniors! UGH.

Howard1

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:55:03 -0600

Spook, there is no "unaccounted for" money tied to CeaseFire. All money has been accounted for after a careful audit of all operations. There have been several articles in the Trib and Sun-Times covering this. Speaking in schools to kids about violence is nice, I support it. But we need more than talk. CeaseFIre does real conflict mediation, outreach with the highest risk, work with service organization to get people on the right track. They've been doing it for 10 years, no need for a new program that has to learn how to do things. Look for an evaluation of CeaseFire later this summer. There have already been some aspects of the report leaked that show strong support for the program.

Spook

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:05:04 -0600

I think Ceasefire should explain the 1.9 million dollars still unaccounted for. But what about funding some of the cutting edge progressive community based organizations to do violence prevention work in CPS classroom just like Bush's "Leave No Child Behind" mandates that bible thumping old church ladies get to go into public schools and preach “abstinence”?

AlbanyParkist

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:00:39 -0600

Sparky nailed it in one. Ceasefire's funding was signifcantly less than this 150 million figure. 150 million coming when the state is essentially broke? This is smokescreen. The over/under on the Governor is July 15th he'll be indicted. Possibly his wife as well. He can promise the moon and the stars now, he's going to be doing a perp walk very soon.

UTV

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:59:39 -0600

Uh oh. Turns out Blago just gave the $150 mil to the Loop Lab School instead. Oh well ...

sparky

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:54:41 -0600

We have an organization already. It's called CeaseFire. Unfortunately much of the program was cut. Fund CeaseFire.

matty

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:53:37 -0600

"That is an unnecessarily harsh reaction to the plan. Is there a problem with creating safe socializing opportunities or more employment?" In a time when we can't balance the budget and can't make the trains run I think a better appropriation of 150million of feel good funds could have a better application. Face it, this a Balgo PR stunt and only that.

Howard1

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:52:06 -0600

Why not just fund CeaseFire??? Its violence prevention program that has been proven to work and which Blago cut last years for political reasons. It only cost $5-10 million per year. Instead we get this program that he threw together to look like he's trying, but which he can't fund. Use what works! Fund CeaseFire!

Dig

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:43:28 -0600

That is an unnecessarily harsh reaction to the plan. Is there a problem with creating safe socializing opportunities or more employment? Aside from not knowing where the funds would come from, it's not a bad idea to re-invigorate youth programs.

peteypants

Tue, 06 May 2008 12:41:59 -0600

imminent FAIL