HR0010 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0010 LRB098 05521 GRL 35556 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the citizens and officials of the City of Aurora for having a zero murder rate during the 2012 calendar year; and

WHEREAS, The City of Aurora has not had a full calendar year without a recorded murder since 1946, when Aurora's population was about 48,000 people; the presence of a world-class police force that works with community groups, city leaders, and law enforcement agencies has led to a significant decline in major crime rates over the past decade, even as the city's population grew to 199,672, making it Illinois' second largest city; and

WHEREAS, In an effort to combat gang violence, the City of Aurora has established many community partnerships with neighborhood groups and community organizations to discuss what could be done to reduce crime; these partnerships have resulted in more engaged residents that are more apt to report suspicious activity to police and, as a result, a greater number of arrests and prosecutions in the city; the Aurora Police Department has also gained assistance from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and other federal agencies to conduct RICO investigations into drug and weapons cases, resulting in federal charges that have put more than 130 gang members behind bars; and

WHEREAS, Leaders, community groups, and taxpayers in the City of Aurora have supported initiatives that have resulted in the investment of millions of dollars in the Aurora Police Department and have given Aurora police officers the advanced tools and technology they needed to fight crime in the 21st century, including a new state-of-the-art police headquarters; additionally, all city government employees have been challenged to find ways to support the city-wide goal of reducing crime, from removing graffiti and fixing broken streetlights during working hours to reporting suspicious activity and broken windows; all City departments now work in tandem to keep crime down in the city; and

WHEREAS, This concerted effort by citizens, elected officials, and law enforcement to fight crime in Aurora is worthy of the greatest respect and serves as a model for other communities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the citizens and officials of the City of Aurora for having a zero murder rate during the 2012 calendar year and wish them continued success in their law enforcement efforts in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the City of Aurora as a symbol of our esteem and respect.