This resolution acknowledges the significant role that violence interrupters play in preventing violence in Chicago, particularly among youth. Violence interrupters are often individuals with past incarceration experiences, which equips them with the skills to de-escalate potential violence effectively. They work in communities that are prone to violence, using their credibility and conflict resolution techniques to mediate conflicts and promote safer environments.
However, the resolution also highlights that state laws and city codes create barriers that prevent some violence interrupters from being employed in schools. For instance, individuals with certain drug offense convictions must wait seven years after their release before they can apply for an educational license to work in schools. The resolution calls upon the City Council's Committee on Education and Child Development to hold a hearing to discuss these legal and policy barriers, with the aim of enabling violence interrupters to work within schools, especially when their convictions are for non-violent offenses.