Illinois

In Your State

Illinois

Illinois has had 262 mass shootings since 2020 and guns are the number one leading cause of death of children. Lawmakers must do more to keep kids safe from gun violence. Learn more about what you can do to help in your state and community.

Take Action Now

Join us right now and urge your representatives to make Illinois safer by passing Federal School Violence Prevention Laws.

Illinois had the

26th

highest firearm death rate in the U.S. in 2021.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for Illinois children in 2021.

Illinois had the

26th

highest firearm death rate in the U.S. in 2021.

Gun fire was the

1st

leading cause of death for Illinois children in 2021.

Take Action Now

Join us right now and urge your representatives to make Illinois safer by passing Federal School Violence Prevention Laws.

Increase School Violence Prevention

After the tragic school shooting in Parkland, Florida, bipartisan legislators from both sides of the aisle came together to prevent school shootings by passing the STOP School Violence Act. It supports and funds lifesaving violence prevention programs. Because of this law, students around the country have access to no-cost suicide prevention and violence prevention training. If STOP has helped your community, please share your story here.

Every year, Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund asks Congress to continue funding this program. Without the STOP School Violence Act, more children are at risk. You can help make sure your elected officials support school safety.

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129

children died by gun fire in 2021.

656

Illinoisians died by suicide with a firearm in 2021.

mass shootings in 2023.

Mass Shootings in Illinois

Illinois residents have endured a number of high profile gun violence tragedies. Six people were killed and more than two dozen were injured when a shooter opened fire shortly after a Fourth of July parade stepped off in Highland Park, a Chicago suburb on July 4, 2022. There were mass shootings in 10 states over that same holiday weekend, part of the gun violence epidemic taking a record toll by mid-2022, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Read our Statement

Gun Laws in Illinois

Enhanced background checks

Restricts certain semi-automatic rifles

Secure storage

Temporary transfer

Our Impact in Illinois

Throughout Illinois, Sandy Hook Promise has engaged youth & adults in our mission and prevention programs.

109490

Supporters in the state

642

Volunteer Promise Leaders who help raise awareness & engage communities

368k

Trained students and adults in 871 schools to Know the Signs and prevent violence

5135

Students involved in 113 SAVE Promise Clubs throughout the state

Prevent gun violence in Illinois

You can help make Illinois a safe place for kids and for your whole community.

State Issue

Close Dangerous Loopholes

A deadly loophole allows guns to be sold between a seller and a buyer who don’t know each other – and no background check is required. Illinois can close this “stranger-to-stranger” loophole and expand background checks to prevent dangerous people from buying guns.

Take Action

“We are proud to work with the bipartisan champions to ensure we're doing everything we can to protect our kids and that millions more students will be trained to know the signs of violence and act to save lives. Our work does not end here, we will continue to bring our prevention programs to schools and communities across the country and advocate for life-saving policies.”

Mark BardenSandy Hook Promise Co-Founder and Co-CEO