Ceasefire is an anti-violence program. Yarbrough says it has saved lives in Maywood. However, in 2007, the program fell victim to budget cuts under former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
"It was wrong. It was mean-spirited, and it cost us much more than the funding he cut, in human lives," Yarbrough said.
Bellwood Mayor Frank Pasquale said the checks could not have come at a better time. With the recession, he expects violence to increase.