Families Of Chicago Kids Killed By Gun Violence Would Immediately Get Funds They Need To Pay For Funerals Under Proposed Law
The Mychal Moultry Jr. Funeral and Burial Assistance Act will support families who’ve lost children 17 and younger to gun violence by providing $10,000 to funeral and burial services.
AUBURN GRESHAM — A nonprofit organization is partnering with Father Michael Pfleger, violence prevention programs and local leaders on a state law that would immediately cover funeral and burial expenses for low-income families who have lost children to gun violence.
Strength to Love Foundation, an organization focused on fighting gun violence, joined local leaders Monday at St. Sabina Church, 1210 W. 78th Pl., to announce the Mychal Moultry Jr. Funeral and Burial Assistance Act. Sen. Jacqueline Collins (16th District) introduced the bill earlier this month.
If passed, the law will allow the state to pay up to $10,000 to funeral and burial service providers to help families of young murder victims if their income is less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level. The law is named for Mychal Moultry Jr., a 4-year-old boy who was shot and killed in a Woodlawn home while getting his hair braided last year.
The state’s Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Act already reimburses families of murder victims for funeral expenses. But the process of completing the paperwork and processing payment can take many months, or even years, said Dave Nayak, founder of Strength to Love Foundation. Supporters say the Mychal Moultry Jr. law will fast track financial support for grieving families when they need it most and prevent them from taking on debt.
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