Mah Works to Protect Residents, Joins the Public Safety & Violence Prevention Task Force

CHICAGO – As part of her efforts to explore all avenues to reduce crime, state Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, will work to find comprehensive solutions to violence as part of the Public Safety & Violence Prevention Task Force.

“It is critically important that everyone, no matter where they live, what they look like or where they’re from, should be able to live without fear of being harmed,” said Mah. “Violence destroys lives, tears apart families and damages communities. We must do everything in our power to address the root causes of violence and create real and sustainable safety for Illinoisans for decades to come.”

Mah was recently appointed to the Public Safety & Violence Prevention Task Force, which will work with experts across the state to work on solutions to hate crimes, gun violence, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and all other forms of violence. Serving on the task force builds on Mah’s previous work to improve public safety laws. She passed legislation this legislative session, Senate Bill 1596 to expand hate crime laws to cover crimes based on perceived immigration status. Mah also supported a bill, House Bill 562 that keeps guns out of the hands of criminals by requiring background checks for all private gun sales.

“With the recent increases in violence we have seen throughout the state, it is more important than ever that we are working to find long-term solutions to curb violence in our communities,” said Mah. “There is nothing more important to me than the health and safety of my constituents, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to make our communities as safe as possible.”