Greater Illinois

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, those same organizations came together at “The Art of Peace: 10-Year CVI Anniversary Celebration & Expo” for an evening of reflection, education, organizational activations, community-building, and more, as they marked a decade of partnership in helping to reduce gun violence in Chicago.

Leaders from Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) recently partnered with community-led collective “We Are Our Own Medicine” to host a Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Activation Training, bringing together community members from various organizations to learn about engaging local CVI groups and building relationships.

The Illinois Peace Project (IPP) celebrated the second year of the Peace Portraits digital storytelling series with a screening and cocktail reception on May 28, 2026 at the Gene Siskel Film Center.

June is recognized as Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time to honor gun violence survivors and advocate to put an end to gun violence. Organizations all across Chicago are planning a number of activities across the city and throughout the month. Find the many ways you can support.

At least 26 people were shot over Memorial Day weekend, including one fatality — a slight increase from 2025, when Chicago recorded its least violent Memorial Day weekend since 2010. During that period last year, 25 people were shot, including four fatalities.

Ahead of the launch of the 2026 Peace Portraits, Metropolitan Peace Initiatives Communications Manager Camille Travis and Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Outreach Supervisor Tavares Harrington appeared on ABC7 Chicago’s Our Chicago to discuss the project and the honorees being celebrated for their work.

A recent in-depth piece from The Chicago Reporter featured Community Violence Intervention (CVI) leaders from Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P), who shared some of the complexities of the Peacekeepers Program and the powerful impact the Peacekeepers have made in their neighborhoods.

The third annual We Are Our Own Medicine Conference brought together leaders across the Community Violence Intervention (CVI), faith, and public health spaces at New Life Covenant in Humboldt Park.

Illinois Peace Project is proud to announce the honorees for its 2026 Peace Portraits series, a visual project dedicated to spotlighting the extraordinary individuals working every day to build safer, stronger, and more peaceful communities.