South Cook News

Pastor Corey Brooks is condemning state Democrats and Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the upcoming implementation of the SAFE-T Act and being out of touch with the realities of living in the Black community.

Brooks is the founder and senior pastor of New Beginnings Church of Chicago and founder and CEO of Project H.O.O.D.

“Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's championing of the SAFE-T Act is such an insult," Brooks wrote in Newsweek. "The governor claims that his plan will make our city safer and more equitable. Sounds like a nice, sweet sentiment, doesn't it? But what about the minorities in my neighborhood who suffer some of the worst violence in America? Don't we matter?

“This Democratic governor who descends from one of America's richest families will never have to see the realities of his actions on the ground. But my community will. It is unfortunate, but thanks to decades of failed liberal policies, many of our impoverished, abysmally educated youths resort to violence. And when they do, they prey on us, American citizens who are just trying to live our lives and make the world a better place.”

Due to the crime the community is experiencing, Brooks said, Democratic politicians have shown they cannot do the job.

“My community has had to do what it can to take matters into our own hands," he said. "In the end, we will be the ones to end the violence, change the culture from bad faith to good faith. We will make the South Side thrive again. We certainly can't rely on Democratic politicians to do it for us.”

The city’s crime problem, which largely affects minority communities, was encapsulated over Labor Day weekend, when a spate of gun violence in Chicago left 40 wounded and eight dead by the evening of Sept. 5. In one incident, a 24-year-old was killed when two vans pulled up alongside him and opened fire.

If the SAFE-T Act comes into play, those involved in such incidents may be let go, according to critics of the act.

Earlier this year, Brooks slept on a rooftop for a 100 Day Campout Against Violence. He has extended his stay on the rooftop to continue to raise funds.

Brooks also has been part of a revitalization of parts of the area. He has established Project H.O.O.D, a community center in the Woodlawn neighborhood left scarred by out-of-control gang violence.

“Pastor Brooks and his wife, Delilah, have fully invested in the community of Woodlawn on Chicago’s South Side," Brooks' website reads. He and his wife are spearheading a community initiative called Project H.O.O.D. to revitalize the neighborhood. Through it, they are raising up a new generation of peacemakers, problem solvers, and entrepreneurs. 

“Current Project H.O.O.D. programming includes a Core and Carpentry Level I course, which places participants in entry-level construction jobs post-program, an entrepreneurship course, and separate business workshops for aspiring and new business owners, a co-working office space for business owners, job placement programs, and community-wide events including The World’s Largest Baby Shower.

“Pastor Brooks attended Ball State University, University of Florida, Dallas Theological Seminary and Grace Theological Seminary. He has been pastoring since 1990.”