Gun Violence Prevention
The gun violence epidemic in America continues to shatter communities large and small across our country, including in our district. In 2022, I was proud to vote for sensible, bipartisan gun violence legislation - the first such legislation to pass Congress in over 30 years - but much more needs to be done.
I support banning military-style assault weapons that are designed to kill as many people as possible in seconds. It is not a coincidence that they are the weapon of choice for mass shootings, and they have no place in our communities. I also support universal background checks so that we can keep guns out of the hands of people that should not have them.
Overwhelming majorities of Americans support common sense reforms that will help save innocent lives. I will continue to work in Congress to find bipartisan agreement on sensible legislation to do just that.
More on Gun Violence Prevention
Kate Chappell, NBC Chicago
City officials, victims' families and community members gathered Wednesday to mark the fourth anniversary of the Henry Pratt workplace shooting in suburban Aurora, which left five individuals dead.
"I don’t want families to continue to go through what I’m going through. Four years later, the pain is still there," said Diana Juarez, the daughter of victim Vicente Juarez.
Shaw Local News Network, Kane County Chronicle
The city of Aurora is holding a tribute Wednesday to remember the five men who were killed in a mass shooting at the Henry Pratt Co. on Feb. 15, 2019.
According to a post on the city’s Facebook page, the ceremony will honor victims Russell Beyer, Vicente Juarez, Clayton Parks, Josh Pinkard and Trevor Wehner.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced a House resolution to honor the victims of the mass shooting that took place at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora, Illinois on February 15, 2019.
Five innocent people were killed and six police officers were injured when a shooter who was illegally in possession of a firearm opened fire at the Henry Pratt Company warehouse in Aurora.
Steve Lord, Aurora Beacon-News
Aurora has been awarded federal grant money to develop an online portal where people could report incidents to the Aurora Police Department.
U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, announced this week that the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program awarded Aurora and Elgin a total of $67,621.
The federal program awards money each year for a range of program areas, including law enforcement, crime prevention and education, technology improvement, mental health programs and more.
Felix Sarver, Joliet Herald-News
The city of Joliet was awarded almost $60,000 in federal funding to support efforts to prevent and fight crime.
On Sept. 23, the city received a $59,961 grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The grants are awarded nationwide to local governments to support activities that prevent and control crime based on state and local needs.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that Aurora and Joliet were awarded grants by the Department of Justice to prevent and control crime based on their local needs. These grants, created by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program, will provide the cities with critical funding to support a range of program areas, including law enforcement, crime prevention and education, technology improvement, mental health programs, and more.
Country Herald Staff Report, Country Herald
JOLIET – The Department of Justice awarded the City of Joliet nearly $60,000 today in an effort to control crime locally.
The money comes from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program and is designed to support law enforcement programs including law enforcement, crime prevention and education, technology improvement, mental health programs, and more.
Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced the grants Thursday. Joliet will receive $59,961 from the grant. Aurora will also receive $67,621 from the program.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1808, the Assault Weapons Ban:
"Today, I was proud to vote for legislation to prohibit the sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and high capacity magazines. This legislation would save lives and make our communities safer.
Naperville, IL – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after a shooting took place at a WeatherTech facility in Bolingbrook, IL:
"Today, our community has been shattered by yet another act of senseless gun violence. Words cannot express the heartbreak the victims and their families are feeling right now. My thoughts are with them during these difficult times.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the most significant piece of gun violence legislation in nearly three decades. This package includes common sense gun safety measures to protect America's children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across the nation: