By Steven Ross Johnson

Law enforcement officials from throughout the region met Monday to discuss ways in which a newly proposed federal bill could help their efforts in reducing the amount of gang violence within their communities.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, hosted the roundtable that included area police chiefs Lisa Womack of Elgin and William Powell of Aurora, who stressed the importance of receiving more resources for increased enforcement and ways to help youths avoid the lure of gang life.

"I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago -- chased by gang members, recruited by gang members and shot at by gang members," Powell said. "But I had a support staff of friends and parents that made me realize early on what could happen if, in fact, I did join them.

"So I actually fought to stay out of the gangs."

Other attendees included Joliet Police Department Sgt. Tom Quillman; Chicago Police Deputy Superintendent Hiram Grau; State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, D-Aurora; and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, who talked about the overwhelming numbers gang members make up of the county's jail population.

"Of the 10,000 people we have in the jail, we have about 250 who have been identified as not being members of gangs," he said. "So when you are looking at the perspective as far as who is in the jail, it's all gangs. And if the gangs went away, we would not have a jail."

The discussion aimed garner local support for the proposed Gang Abatement and Prevention Act -- passed in the Senate in September -- which would make violent crimes committed by gang members a federal crime.

Also, federal penalties would be imposed for those who recruit others to participate in criminal gang activity, or who attempt to harass witnesses.

"I really believe, and I have come to appreciate, that some of the street criminals know when penalties go up," Durbin said.

Approximately $361 million has been proposed to fund law enforcement agencies in the next five years -- with $187 million going toward enforcement through updated technology and increasing personnel, while $175 million would be used for establishing or expanding community gang prevention programs.

The bill is under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives, with a vote expected by early next year, Durbin said.