New state Rep. Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer, D-Chicago, is sponsoring legislation that would fund comprehensive programming to support students who have experienced gun-violence trauma through a tax on ammunition sales.
Pizer’s House Bill 5651 would add a two-cent surcharge on each bullet sold, with the revenue going to the Safe Schools and Healthy Learning Environments Grant. This grant program enables schools to develop restorative interventions and resolution strategies that emotionally, psychologically and socially support the needs of students, rather focusing solely on disciplinary measures.
This bill is supported by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)—a group that represents social workers located in many settings, including schools.