In Garfield Park between 2020 and 2021, more than 66 young men were shot and killed. During this time period and in neighborhoods like Garfield Park, young men were more than 3 times more likely to be shot and killed than U.S. service members deployed to Afghanistan.

Our neighborhoods should never be more dangerous than a war zone.

We all deserve to feel safe in the cities and neighborhoods we live in. But gun violence continues to claim the lives of too many people, destroying the futures of a tragic number of children and youth, and leaving countless families shattered in its wake. No more "thoughts and prayers." It's time for unapologetic investment in our communities.

As your Congresswoman, I will:

• Drastically increase and sustain funding for violence prevention programs like Chicago CRED that are proven to reduce homicides

• Ban the sale and ownership of assault weapons nationwide and support other common sense gun control laws

• Fight to ban corporate PACs, many of them weapons and gun manufacturers, from our political and election systems. For example, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has donated millions to current Members of Congress who've been bought to represent the NRA's interests, not yours.