Cure Violence leader honored for public service

Gary Slutkin (right), professor of epidemiology and executive director of Cure Violence, accepts the Order of Lincoln award from Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Gary Slutkin, professor of epidemiology in the School of Public Health and founder and executive director of Cure Violence, was chosen by Gov. Bruce Rauner for the Order of Lincoln, the state’s highest honor for professional achievement and public service.

The award was presented May 9 at the 51st Annual Convocation of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois in the chamber of the Illinois House of Representatives.

“I’m thrilled to receive this recognition,” said Slutkin. “The state has been a central partner of CeaseFire, the Illinois partner program for Cure Violence.”

CeaseFire Illinois has been funded in large part by an annual operating grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

Cure Violence works to reduce violence using disease control and behavior change methods. Launched in 2000 in Chicago, the program now has 52 sites in 25 U.S. cities and eight countries on four continents and developing new partnerships in Latin America, Israel, Palestine and Syria.

It was recently ranked 17th on Global Geneva’s 2015 list of the Top 500 Global NGOs. It was ranked first among NGOs devoted to reducing violence.

“It’s a tribute to our extraordinarily committed staff, board and many partners working on the ground in dangerous places on four continents,” Slutkin said.