SJ0040 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0040 LRB103 32592 MST 62207 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On Monday, July 4, 2022, the City of Highland Park and thousands of its residents and neighbors gathered for its annual Fourth of July parade; and

WHEREAS, For generations, Highland Park has hosted this parade, one of the largest Fourth of July gatherings in the northern suburbs of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, At 10:14 a.m., tragedy struck as an alleged lone gunman opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at the intersection of 2nd Street and Central Avenue in downtown Highland Park; and

WHEREAS, In less than one minute, the assailant shot 83 bullets into the crowd, killing 7 and injuring dozens; and

WHEREAS, As residents ran from the gunfire, placed their bodies over their loved ones, and sought safety, first responders who had come to watch the parade put themselves in harm's way; and

WHEREAS, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members and community volunteers rushed to the scene and bravely worked side by side with fire and police personnel and medical professionals, helping to save lives through their quick action; and

WHEREAS, Law enforcement officers from Highland Park and hundreds of others throughout the State of Illinois and at all levels of government worked together to quickly secure downtown Highland Park and later apprehend the suspect; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Nancy Rotering admirably and strongly led the grieving Highland Park community in the minutes immediately after the shooting and in the weeks and months following the shooting, as the international community looked to her leadership; and

WHEREAS, City Manager Ghida Neukirch selflessly ran to the scene of the shooting to provide first aid to gunshot victims, going far above and beyond her duties and providing extraordinary care to the Highland Park community in the moments following the shooting; and

WHEREAS, Physicians, nurses, and other staff raced to Highland Park Hospital to assist the injured, some coming straight from the parade, doing incredible work under intense and difficult circumstances; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of therapists, counselors, and social workers have supported those experiencing trauma from what they witnessed during and after the shooting; and

WHEREAS, Gun violence remains a deeply concerning issue across the State, with numerous incidents highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention strategies; and

WHEREAS, It is essential to acknowledge recent incidents that have underscored the devastating impact of gun violence on individuals, families, and communities in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, From May 12 to May 14, 2023, there were eight fatalities and 20 others injured due to gun violence in the City of Chicago, leaving a profound impact on the affected community; and

WHEREAS, Another incident on May 6, 2023 in South Side Avalon Park resulted in the loss of Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston and inflicted immeasurable pain on the families and friends left to cope with the aftermath; and

WHEREAS, These incidents serve as heartbreaking reminders of the urgent need for comprehensive approaches to gun violence prevention, encompassing community-based solutions, law enforcement efforts, and policy reforms; and

WHEREAS, It is crucial to recognize the collective grief and trauma experienced by those directly affected by these incidents, as well as the enduring impact on the broader Chicago community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we declare July 2 through July 8, 2023 as "Gun Violence Memorial and Prevention Week" in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we mourn the lives lost at the hands of gunfire in the City of Highland Park on July 4, 2022; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we remember all gun violence victims in the City of Chicago; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we especially remember the lives of Katherine Goldstein, Irina McCarthy, Kevin McCarthy, Stephen Straus, Jacquelyn Sundheim, Nicholas Toledo-Zaragoza, Eduardo Uvaldo, and Aréanah Preston; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we remember all of those around the State of Illinois who have been lost to gun violence; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the surviving family members who live with the trauma of their losses; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we honor the City of Highland Park, the City of Chicago and their law enforcement, first responders, and community leaders for their service to the people of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge leaders to continue to do everything in their power to ensure communities across the State do not experience the trauma of gun violence, so that these horrific tragedies shall not be in vain; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the City of Highland Park and the City of Chicago.