ILLINOIS (WAND) - Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order establishing the Reimagine Public Safety Program and the new Office of Firearm Violence Prevention Program.

He also pledged $250 million to fighting violent crime, declaring gun violence a public health emergency.

"I am here today, with all these esteemed individuals to send a clear message - we are united in our commitment to end gun violence in Illinois,” Pritzker said at a press conference Monday.

One in three deaths last year among 15-24 years old Illinoisans involved gun violence, according to state health data.

"Gun violence is devastating communities, neighborhoods, blocks and families. Mothers, fathers, brothers, friends are experiencing senseless tragedies in the deaths and serious injuries of their loved ones,” Pritzker explained.

Gun violence is plaguing cities from Chicago to Peoria to Decatur, affecting hundreds of families. But there are organizations fighting back.

"If we want to bring an end to violence, we need to follow those already leading the way,” Pritzker said.

Dr. Jarmese Sherrod is one of those leading the way, with her organization S.I.M.P. Inc.

"We're out here already working, we're doing the hard lifting. We know what our community needs,” Sherrod told WAND News.

S.I.M.P. Inc is going into local classrooms each week, hosting student summits and working with every local police department in Macon County.

"Law enforcement cannot do this alone. We have to rely on community leaders to come out and create after school programs, summer enrichment programs,” Sherrod explained.

The Reimagine Public Safety Act will allow groups like S.I.M.P. Inc, which has already put time into surveys, canvassing and collaboration, to see more funding to continue making inroads in their specific community.

"You have to make sure you have sustainable solutions financially. Not a one year, one and done, you have to continue to keep doing this so people can be great at what they already do,” Sherrod added.

Over in Danville, Edward Butler and Frank McCullough with the Three Kings of Peace organization are doing similar work mentoring young kids.

"We have an opportunity to open this children's center so that we can draw our kids in, working in conjunction with the school districts also the college and the peer court here in our city,” McCullough told WAND News.

"As many kids that we can reach and steer them from the violence, I'm sure that the investment is giving groups like us - will help us go out and do our job,” Butler added.

These community leaders may soon see more support with the governor’s executive order as they work to combat gun violence and make their communities safer for the next generation.

Click here for more information about the governor's order and the investment his office announced.