Calls Upon Voters to Take a Stand Against Gun Violence on Election Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2015
CHICAGO-The Gun Violence Prevention Political Action Committee (G-PAC) announced the organization’s endorsement of candidates for the February election today, adding that key races will soon be targeted for funding and political support in critical districts where a voice for reasonable gun safety legislation is needed.
Launched by gun safety advocates and shooting victims outraged by the questionable influence of the gun lobby, G-PAC is the only organization in Illinois working to elect and protect candidates that support common sense gun safety – and to defeat those that don’t.
“Children, families and communities across our state have paid a tragically high price for our state’s failure to pass reasonable gun safety measures for far too long. G-PAC seeks to save lives by supporting the election of leaders who are committed to passing reasonable gun safety measures and working with us to combat the influence of the gun lobby,” said G-PAC Executive Director Kathleen Sances.
G-PAC felt it was important to weigh in on the Chicago municipal elections. A disproportionate amount of gun violence and homicides occur in high crime communities throughout the city, primarily as a result of the flow of illegal guns from counties/states with weaker gun laws. Day after day, senseless tragedies steal away the lives of children who are caught in the crossfire, tearing these neighborhoods apart.
“Despite the fact that the majority of Illinois voters support common sense gun safety legislation, this lifesaving position is not often reflected in the voting records of the public officials representing them. All too often, those we have elected to look out for our communities have been looking the other way – putting politics above public safety, said G-PAC Founder Tom VandenBerk.
“We urge voters to make their voices heard loud and clear this February by sending a strong message to the gun industry, their lobbyists, and the elected officials who do their bidding: Enough is enough,” he added. “Lives depend on it.”
Endorsements were determined by candidates’ responses to G-PAC’s 2015 Election Campaign Questionnaire with 13 questions regarding their positions on critical gun safety legislation, including, but not limited to:
- Establishing reasonable licensing measures to crack down on gun dealers that supply illegal traffickers with crime guns;
- Increasing penalties for the “lost and stolen” law to discourage illegal gun trafficking;
- Reporting gun transactions at the point of sale enabling authorities to trace the source of guns at crime scenes quickly, reducing gun crimes; and
- Agreeing to join fellow elected officials in calling for suburban gun dealers to follow the city’s example and place stronger public safety protections to prevent illegal gun trafficking, such as: employee background checks and training, anti-theft safety plans, investigation logs, inventory audits, video cameras and prohibition of revoked license transfers.
Ultimately, all of the candidates that were endorsed by G-PAC had responded “yes” to 100% of the questions.
G-PAC’s 2015 Endorsements include: (Please note that in open contests, more than one candidate may be endorsed.)
Chicago City Council:
Ward 1: Joe Moreno
Ward 2: Alyx Pattison, Brian Hopkins, Cornell Wilson
Ward 3: No Endorsement
Ward 4: William Burns
Ward 5: Leslie Hairston
Ward 6: No Endorsement
Ward 7: Natasha Holmes
Ward 8: Michelle Harris
Ward 9: Anthony Beale
Ward 10: John Pope
Ward 11: No Endorsement
Ward 12: Unopposed/No Endorsement
Ward 13: Unopposed/No Endorsement
Ward 14: Unopposed/No Endorsement
Ward 15: Rafael Yanez
Ward 16: No Endorsement
Ward 17: Glenda Franklin
Ward 18: No Endorsement
Ward 19: No Endorsement
Ward 20: Willie B. Cochran
Ward 21: Howard Brookins
Ward 22: Ricardo Munoz
Ward 23: Michael Zalewski
Ward 24: Frank Bass, LaDarius Curtis, Michael Scott, Jr.
Ward 25: Jorge Mujica, Byron Sigcho
Ward 26: Roberto Maldonado
Ward 27: Walter Burnett
Ward 28: Unopposed/No Endorsement
Ward 29: Deborah Graham
Ward 30: Unopposed/No Endorsement
Ward 31: Sean Starr
Ward 32: Scott Waguespack
Ward 33: Deb Mell
Ward 34: Carrie M. Austin
Ward 35: Rey Colon
Ward 36: Omar Aquino, Gilbert Villegas
Ward 37: Emma Mitts
Ward 38: Heather Sattler
Ward 39: Joe Laiacona
Ward 40: Patrick O’Connor
Ward 41: No Endorsement
Ward 42: Unopposed/No Endorsement
Ward 43: Michele Smith
Ward 44: Tom Tunney
Ward 45: No Endorsement
Ward 46: James Cappelman
Ward 47: Ameya Pawar
Ward 48: Unopposed/No Endorsement
Ward 49: Joe Moore
Ward 50: Debra Silverstein
# # #