MAYWOOD, Ill. – On Saturday, State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, Congressman Danny Davis, D-Chicago, Maywood Mayor Edwenna Perkins and members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity marched on the streets of Maywood to highlight the importance of funding anti-violence and programs that have lost funding due to Gov. Rauner’s two-year budget impasse.

“Violence has been plaguing our communities for too long, and the governor’s unwillingness to compromise on a budget is putting people’s lives in danger,” said Welch. “That is why I started this march and a petition, so that the people of Illinois can stand up to the governor, demand him to stop campaigning and actually do the job that the people of Illinois elected him to do.”

Welch and members of the Alpha Phi Fraternity marched in Maywood to bring attention to continued anti-violence programs and organizations that have since been under monetary constraints due to Gov. Rauner’s budget impasse. Welch is also urging local residents to sign his anti-violence petition at www.bit.ly/WelchViolencePrevention to send a message to the governor that Illinoisans deserve a budget that fully funds violence prevention programs.

“All of us need to do more to make sure anti-violence measures and organizations have the resources Rep. Welch (center) stands with local residents to speak in support of violence prevention programs.they need in order to protect people,” said Congressman Danny Davis. “I lost a family member to gun violence last year, and no one should live through such a traumatizing experience. Governor Rauner needs to work with General Assembly to ensure the public’s safety.”