OFVP Firearm Violence Research Group Meeting Minutes, July 15, 2025

Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Time: 9:30 am

Meeting Minutes

Welcome/Roll Call/Approval of Minutes
- Meeting called to order: 9:35 am
- Roll Call FVRG Members: Joseph Hoereth, Dave Olson, Kim Smith, Maryann Mason, Timothy Lavery, Soledad McGrath
- FVRG Members Absent: Andrew Papachristos
- Attendees: Kevin Brown, Stephanie Jones, Roy Rothschild, Sam Theno, Barbara Hobrock, Sean Walsh, Anna Inman
- Notetaker: Jessica Cortez
- Meeting Minutes Approval: The meeting minutes for January 21, 2025, were approved by consensus. Meeting minutes for March 18th and May 20th, 2025, have been tabled due to quorum requirements.
Public Comment-Public comment received from Robert Douglas, who was unable to attend but requested his letter be read on his behalf.
Discussion & Work Items
1. OFVP Updates
2. Open Discussion
  - Maryann Mason, PhD, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Associate Director, Buehler Center for Health Policy and Economics.
    - Presentation on Tracking Gun Violence through the Illinois Violent Death Dashboard
3. Quick recap
  - The meeting covered several important topics, including public comments, updates from the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention, and a presentation on the Illinois Department of Public Health's violence dashboards. Discussions focused on data limitations, privacy concerns, and potential improvements in capturing and analyzing gun violence statistics. The group also explored future agenda items and emphasized the importance of comprehensive and timely data in addressing firearm-related issues.
Next steps
1. All FVRG Members: Complete required training in OneNet account before the end of the year
2. All FVRG Members: Complete Open Meetings Act training and send completion certificate to Stephanie Jones
3. Facilitator Hoereth: Coordinate with Kevin Brown and Assistant Secretary regarding potential future agenda items, including Medicaid/Medicare billing, gun violence, Chicago Community Trust Report, and Workforce Development Behavioral Health Collaborative
4. Facilitator Hoereth: Follow up with Robert Douglas to get more details about his proposed presentation and circulate the information to the group for consideration
5. Facilitator Hoereth: Double-check March and May meeting minutes attendance and quorum requirements for proper approval
6. FVRG Member Lavery: Prepare presentation on NIVERS data and House Bill 1710 requirements for a future meeting
7. Jessica Cortez: Send January meeting minutes to Stephanie Jones
8. Stephanie Jones: Post approved January meeting minutes on the website
Summary
1. Public Comment Reading Session
  - Stephanie Jones informs the group that they have received a public comment from Robert Douglas, who is not present at the meeting. Robert has requested that his letter be read on his behalf. Stephanie Jones prepares to read the comment to the group.
2. OFVP Budget Update Meeting
  - Kevin Brown provides updates on behalf of Assistant Secretary Quiwana Bell, who is absent due to her son's health issue. He informs the group that the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) is in the process of finalizing its budget approval. Kevin Brown asks the group to keep Kiwana in their thoughts due to the seriousness of her son's situation.
3. Chicago Mass Shooting Response Update K
  - Kevin Brown reports that the FY26 budget for grantees will be $119 million, a slight decrease from the $126 million allocated in FY25. He mentions that over the holiday weekend, there were five mass shootings in Chicago, with 44 total shootings compared to over 100 last year. The IDHS Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery and the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention were involved in the response. Kevin Brown also notes that a Victims Flex Fund was activated for these incidents, with flex fund managers available across Chicago and in Greater Illinois. The mass shooting response capacity is currently limited to Chicago due to federal funding constraints, but the Victims Flex Fund is available statewide.
4. Illinois Violence Dashboard Overview
  - FVRG Member Mason presents the Illinois Department of Public Health's violence dashboards, developed by Understory and funded by the Joyce Foundation. These dashboards, unique for including both fatal and non-fatal firearm injuries, use data from the Illinois Violent Death Reporting System (IVDRS) from 2015 to 2022. The interactive tool allows users to filter data by manner of death, demographics, weapons, and location types. FVRG Member Mason notes that IVDRS participation has increased from 77% in 2015 to 96% in 2022, cautioning users about interpreting early trends. The dashboard provides county-level data and includes both rates and counts of violent deaths.
5. Data Access and Dashboard Usage
  - FVRG Member Mason explains the availability and limitations of data in specialized areas, noting that county-level reports may not be available for more specific circumstances due to lower numbers. She demonstrates how to download and export the data in various formats. Facilitator Hoereth inquires about the data sources, and FVRG Member Mason details that the information comes from standardized sources including coroner/medical examiner reports, toxicology exams, autopsy reports, and law enforcement reports. She emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the data but notes the trade-off with timeliness. David clarifies that individuals cannot access case-level data without going through proper channels. FVRG Member Mason discusses the feedback received on the dashboard, highlighting the need for guidance in its use. The group also discusses data suppression and privacy concerns, as well as common use cases for the dashboard, including determining catchment areas and grant writing.
6. Challenges in Firearm Injury Data
  - The group discusses the limitations of using emergency department (ED) visit rates for firearm injuries instead of population-based rates. FVRG Member Mason explains that ED data is used because patient residence information is not available, making it difficult to determine the appropriate population base. Facilitator Hoereth mentions that this issue also affects their process for updating OFVP-eligible communities. FVRG Member Olson and Facilitator Hoereth discuss the challenges of accurately capturing injury data, particularly in border areas where patients may seek treatment in neighboring states. The group explores potential solutions, such as considering ED catchment areas, and FVRG Member Mason mentions her work on linking hospital discharge data with other datasets for suicide-related research.
7. Enhancing Gun Violence Data Collection
  - The group discusses the limitations of current data on gun violence, noting that county-level data often masks city-specific trends. They highlight the importance of timely data and acknowledge that while not perfect, the available information is improving. FVRG Member Lavery mentions House Bill 1710, which requires ICJIA to publish data on murders and aggravated assaults with firearms, including clearance rates. The group also discusses the need for comprehensive data that includes non-injury firearm incidents and recognizes the trauma impact of gun use beyond physical injuries. A
8. Agenda Planning and Updates Meeting
  - Facilitator Hoereth thanks FVRG Member Mason for her presentation on the IDPH data dashboard. The group discusses potential agenda items for the next meeting, including Mr. Douglas's request, an update on NIBRS data, and information on firearm restraining orders. Facilitator Hoereth agrees to follow up with Mr. Douglas for more details and circulate the information to the group. Additional topics suggested include Medicare/Medicaid billing for gun violence healing services, workforce development in behavioral health, and the Chicago Community Trust report. Facilitator Hoereth reminds members to complete the required training, and the meeting is adjourned.
Proposed Next Meeting Date/Time: Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 9:30 am
Meeting Adjourned @ 11:00am