Hours after President Donald Trump pulled back on sending National Guard troops to Chicago to quell violent crime, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin joined violence prevention leaders Friday in Little Village to tout the organizations’ efforts that some credit for the city’s plummeting crime rates .

“If we work together, we can reduce crime. That is critical for the lives that will be affected and for the reputation of this city,” said Durbin, D-Ill.

He joined state Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, to speak with New Life Church pastor Matt DeMateo and Christa Hamilton, the president and CEO of the social services organization UCAN about how their work with violence interruptors have led to a drop in shootings and homicides in their communities.

From June through August, Chicago recorded the fewes

See Full Page