Chicago’s affluent families and prominent business figures have amassed $66 million to bolster the city’s fight against crime.
Contributions from esteemed foundations like the Crown and Pritzker families constituted just over 30% of the $200 million required for an initiative aimed at curbing gun violence. This generous support represents more than half of the $100 million pledged by the business sector. Spearheading the fundraising endeavors is the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, comprising senior executives from notable companies such as McDonald’s Corp., Ulta Beauty Inc., and Morningstar Inc.
The announcement follows nearly five months after the public safety task force appointed Hyatt Hotels Chief Executive Officer Mark Hoplamazian and BMO Bank’s Eric Smith to lead the initiative. The funds will bolster a collaborative effort between governments and community organizations, with objectives including reducing shootings and homicides by 50% within five years and 75% within a decade.
Hoplamazian emphasized the unified commitment of the business community, stating, “Our goal is to be the safest city in America, and to achieve this, sustained collaboration and fortified partnerships are imperative.”
Chicago has grappled with persistent violence, alarming both residents and businesses. Crime rates surged by 16% last year and have risen by 55% since 2019. While murders have decreased in the past three years, they remain 23% higher than 2019 levels, according to data from the city’s police department.
The initiative, dubbed Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago (SC2), aims to reach at least half of the 20,000 Chicagoans at the highest risk of gun violence within the first five years. Currently, only about 15% to 20% of these individuals receive support from community violence prevention organizations.
Focused efforts will target seven neighborhoods, including East Garfield Park, Englewood, and Austin, where Mayor Brandon Johnson resides. Arne Duncan, the former US Secretary of Education and co-founder of the Chicago CRED anti-gun violence nonprofit, will serve on the SC2 steering committee.
Additional contributors to the initiative include the Builders Initiative, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Sue Ling Gin Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the Hyatt Hotels Foundation, and the John & Kathleen Schreiber Foundation.
Mayor Johnson underscored the importance of collaborative action, stating, “We recognize that government alone cannot ensure Chicago’s safety. We are committed to uniting community members, organizations, philanthropy, businesses, and others to implement effective solutions.”