It's with a heavy heart that I address the recent incident near Edith Smith Middle School in Waukegan. The safety of our children should be a top priority, and what happened on Friday morning is deeply distressing. 

I want to express my heartfelt empathy to all the moms and dads in our community who now worry about sending their kids to school because of the out-of-control crime problem. It's unthinkable that parents should fear for their children's safety while just trying to get an education.

No one was injured, thank God, but we must recognize that all these moms and dads and their kids are victims. They are victims because they have to live in fear of violence. We cannot allow this to become the new normal. Gun fights, in stolen cars, in broad daylight? Crime is becoming so brazen. 

This incident underscores the urgent need for justice and safety in our community. We must ensure that those responsible for such reckless actions are held accountable for the harm they've caused. I am committed to working tirelessly to make our streets safer, strengthen law enforcement, and support the victims impacted by senseless crime. Together, we can build a safer and more secure future for our children.