Just one day removed from Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s proclamation of $150 million for anti-violence initiatives, some officials remain skeptical about whether his plan will come to fruition.

“It’s nice to have these great ideas,” said state Rep. Edward Acevedo (D-Chicago) Wednesday, “but it’s another thing to make sure you have the money and a plan in place to raise the funding before you get the hopes of these people up.”

Blagojevich’s plan calls for statewide job creation this summer for teenagers, after-school programs, and bolstering neighborhoods and police departments. Funding would come from a state capital plan, which would require the approval of the Illinois General Assembly.

In announcing his plan on Tuesday,  the governor said violence "doesn't just come and go with the seasons."

“I am for any kind of anti-violence initiatives,” said state Sen. Iris Martinez (D-Chicago) who related that the first killing of 2008 was in her Logan Square neighborhood. “I think we need to concentrate on where we are going to get the money.”

Blagojevich’s proposal comes on the heels of a recent spike of violence in the city. More than 30 shootings were reported on a recent weekend, and 24 Chicago Public School children have been slain this school year.

“I believe that any program that would be introduced as far as finding more jobs for these kids and funding violence is greatly needed in my community,” said Acevedo. “My question is if this is so important to the governor, then why did he veto our projects that were so important to our community?”

Acevedo specifically referenced the Pilsen Athletic Conference, a community organization he said was well attended by kids who want to be involved in sports and stay off the streets. The organization, which previously had a budget of $75,000, lost its funding this past year in a spate of budget cuts.

Another organization that saw its funding cut last August was CeaseFire, a group that converts gang members into community advocates. Acevedo’s name is currently a sponsor of a house bill to fund $12.5 million for the program, a separate initiative from Gov. Blagojevich’s plan.

The organization, which at its peak had 25 locations and over 140 members, now has only a handful of employees at four locations. While definitive plans for the $150 million have not been drawn up, CeaseFire is not expecting any new funding from this initiative.

“I feel very out of the loop with respect to what’s going on in the state right now,” said CeaseFire Chief Operating Officer Candice Kane. “I know that we have young people, actually people of all ages, being shot, dying, and that our program, as well as others, needs to be out there even stronger than before.”

Although the funding has not been officially secured, Acevedo remains hopeful that it would be cleared for programs like CeaseFire.

“There is a desperate need for anti-violence initiatives,” said Acevedo. “The summer isn’t even here yet, and look at all of the deaths.”

“We’re killing away our future.”