Fight Crime: Invest In Kids - Berlin Rallies Support For Childrens' Crime Prevention Programs

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin was recently highlighted in Fight Crime: Invest In Kids Illinois’ Summer 2025 Newsletter for his efforts and advocacy at both federal and state levels to help guarantee funding for critical crime prevention childrens’ programs throughout Illinois. Research has demonstrated that after-school hours, from 2-6 p.m., are a high-risk period for juvenile crime, according to the Afterschool Alliance. Fight Crime: Invest In Kids develops and implements programs that occupy juveniles during those crucial hours, reducing juvenile delinquency and crime. Bob Berlin proudly serves on Fight Crime: Invest In Kids’ llinois Executive Committee.

Protecting Head Start services for Illinois children & communities

After word came this spring that the next federal budget could end the Head Start program, law enforcement leaders stepped-up. They stressed to members of Congress that, in Illinois alone, this 60-year-old program supports learning, health, and developmental services for 28,000 young children and their parents. In May, three state’s attorneys met virtually with U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood: Bob Berlin (DuPage County), Eric Weis (Kendall), and J. Hanley (Winnebago). Meanwhile, Metropolis Police Chief Harry Masse spoke with U.S. Rep. Mike Bost. Fight Crime members cited research showing that Head Start produces a $17,000 Return on Investment, per participant, with over 30% of the benefits relating to improved public safety. Both lawmakers subsequently joined a congressional letter urging the program’s protection. Ultimately, the President's budget proposal dropped the idea of Head Start cuts.

…

New state investments in child care for working parents

Speaking of Illinois’ new spending plan, it invests $170 million more state resources in child care assistance for low-income working families, with about half of it dedicated to Smart Start grants that help boost the compensation of chronically underpaid child care teachers. Bolstering child care was a central aim of Fight Crime for the spring session, with nearly 120 law enforcement leaders signing a letter to top state policymakers in support of our FY26 aims. Further echoing our spring-session goals, Hazel Crest Police Chief Mitchell Davis and DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin submitted written testimony to Illinois House and Senate hearings.

###