SPRINGFIELD – At least 17 people were killed and 41 others wounded, including four teenagers, an eighth-grade student and twin 17-year-old boys, making it Chicago’s deadliest weekend of the year. State Senator Mattie Hunter (D- Chicago) released the following statement:

 “Our communities are in pain and instead of uniting, we find ourselves battling one another for survival. But if we continue to kill each other, who will uphold our legacies? It is disheartening to watch communities suffer at the hand of gun violence. I feel we, governmental officials, are not doing enough to work with troubled families. Chicago residents are in dire need of access to mental health services, substance abuse centers, after-school programs for youth and more employment opportunities for adults. Tirelessly, I will work this upcoming session to ensure we get a handle on the violence that’s killing our future by bringing the resources we need to our communities.”