Coordinator to combat gun violence to be appointed in Chicago region
COOK COUNTY, Ill. -- The Illinois county that includes Chicago has approved the appointment of a coordinator to combat gun violence, reports CBS Chicago.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners reportedly approved the new position at the request of commissioner Richard Boykin, though the coordinator has not yet been named. The person will be tasked with addressing the spate of gun violence in the county. Chicago reportedly has seen about 2,500 shootings this year so far.
"The Cook County Board heard the people who said this is intolerable, we've got to change it," said Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, chairman of the Cook County commissioner board's criminal justice committee.
The county sheriff's office will absorb the cost of the coordinator's salary, which has yet to be determined.
The post is expected to be filled by the end of the year.