East Central Reporter

The FBI has reported that Illinois is experiencing a rapid increase in crime. State government is scrambling to reduce crime and prevent it through stricter gun laws and better mental health services. 

“We need to have real discussions about the serious underlying issues that are driving a culture of violence in this state,” Rep. Blaine Wilhour said. “We need to have conversations based on a holistic approach about why mental health has deteriorated in recent years.”

While Illinois has strong gun laws, Everytown reported that 1,500 people die from gun violence every year.

“We got to strategize, we have to mobilize, and get in front of this thing,” Terry Burnside, executive director of the nonprofit violence prevention organization House of Hope, told Center Square.

Wilhour is calling for more leadership in his state to lower the crime rate. He questions what has led to the rising crime rate, such as a lack of respect for law enforcement.

“What we need are real leaders that are going to bring all the stakeholders to this discussion,” Wilhour said. “All the stakeholders from every side of this. We need to get ahead of these issues and we need leadership that is going to encourage that no solutions are off the table on this issue.”

A report by Axios Chicago found that 19% of Illinois cities are underreporting crime data to the FBI.

While Everytown reported that states with easy access to guns have “higher rates of mass shootings,” Wilhour argues that conversations need to address other issues.

“I think that’s something that we need to talk about here because nobody talks about it,” he said. “It’s easy to throw out red meat on more restrictions but if more restrictions were the sole answer we wouldn't be having this discussion today.”

“I represent Republicans and Democrats alike,” Tim Baldermann, mayor of Lenox, said to Fox News. “This is not a partisan issue. This violence is happening to everybody.”