Neighborhood Safety Initiative to Pilot in Two Chicago Communities

NORTHBROOK, Ill., October 13, 2012, /3BL Media/ – Allstate Insurance Company and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) are joining forces to address violent crime in Chicago. Allstate is providing $250,000 for the new program, called the Neighborhood Safety Initiative, which brings together the Mayor’s Office, Chicago Police Department (CPD), University of Chicago’s Crime Lab and local community organizations to develop neighborhood-based solutions to tackle the serious problem of violent crime in the city. 

The Neighborhood Safety Initiative will target neighborhoods facing serious safety challenges, but that also have a history of coordination around anti-crime strategies, neighborhood development, and community organizing.

LISC, together with the CPD and Allstate will select pilot neighborhoods from the 28 that are participating in LISC’s New Communities Program.

Allstate has supported LISC for more than 20 years and has provided more than $500,000 in grant support.  Additionally, Allstate has provided $24 million in low-interest loans to LISC.  The funding supports projects that promote economic development and revitalize and stabilize low-and-moderate income neighborhoods. Last year alone, Allstate provided $10 million in funding that has been used to create Head Start daycare centers, refurbish low-income housing in Humboldt Park, and redevelop a series of deteriorated commercial buildings into residential units that provide housing to more than 70 families.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names. Widely known by its slogan “You’re In Good Hands With Allstate^®,” Allstate offers insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate^®. As part of Allstate’s commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.

LISC Chicago: Since 1980, Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago has invested $196 million to leverage $4.8 billion in community improvements. LISC and its partners have built 30,000 units of affordable housing and five million square feet of commercial space. LISC’s New Communities Program has engaged tens of thousands of residents around youth programming, career development, technology, education, safety and health.?