September 03, 2015

Durbin Announces $3.8 Million in Federal Funding to Support Illinois Justice Programs

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded a total of $3,801,900 in grants to support the establishment or enhancement of several justice system programs in Illinois.

   

“Today’s funding is an important investment in the Illinois justice system, and in the safety and security of communities throughout our state,” said Durbin.  “These initiatives will provide vital assistance to those who have been the victims of crimes and enhance community-oriented policing efforts.” 

   

Under this announcement, the following Illinois communities, organizations and entities will receive funding:

   

  • The Winnebago County Circuit Court (Rockford, IL): The Winnebago County Circuit Court will be awarded $499,951 in funding through the Justice for Families Program / Family Court Enhancement Project, which helps determine what family court procedures relating to custody and visitation can help keep victims of domestic violence and their children safe from further violence and trauma.

   

Under this announcement, the following Illinois entities will receive funding to assist victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking:

   

  • Illinois Department of Human Services (Springfield, IL): The Illinois Department of Human Services was awarded $315,000 in funding through the Training and Services to End Violence Against Women with Disabilities Grants Program, which was created by the Violence Against Women Act. The Illinois Department of Human Services will use this grant in collaboration with other state-based organizations to increase organizational capacity to provide accessible, safe, and effective services to individuals with disabilities and Deaf individuals who are victims of violence and abuse.

   

  • Mujeres Latinas En Accion (Chicago, IL): Mujeres Latinas En Accion will receive $288,200 in funding through the Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services Program, which was created by the Violence Against Women Act to help community-based organizations offer culturally specific services to underserved populations. Mujeres will use this funding to hire and support additional staff, including a full-time and a part-time child therapist, a full-time domestic violence counselor, a domestic violence program director, and a director of wellness and evaluation. These staff members will provide group and individual counseling sessions for survivors and family members, especially Spanish-speaking Latinas in the Chicago metropolitan area.

   

  • Shalva (Chicago, IL): Shalva will receive $190,000 in funding through the Grants for Outreach and Services to Underserved Populations, which was created by the Violence Against Women Act to develop and implement outreach strategies targeted at adult or youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in underserved populations. With this Underserved Program grant, Shalva will continue to provide culturally-appropriate services to victims of domestic violence within Chicago’s Jewish community by implementing the Orthodox Outreach Initiative.

   

Under this announcement, the following Illinois communities will receive funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program:‎

   

  • City of Chicago, IL: The City of Chicago will receive $2,178,305 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding for law enforcement efforts in Chicago, Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Cicero, Evanston, and Harvey, the Villages of Maywood, Riverdale, and Skokie, and Cook County.

   

  • Will County, IL: Will County will receive $51,424 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding to purchase software and to support a drug prevention program.

   

  • City of Aurora, IL: The City of Aurora will receive $65,758 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding to purchase equipment and support training costs.

   

  • City of Decatur, IL: The City of Decatur will receive $30,499 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding to support personnel costs.

   

  • City of Bloomington, IL: The City of Bloomington will receive $28,818 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding to purchase equipment.

   

  • City of Peoria, IL: The City of Peoria will receive $64,078 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding to purchase equipment.

   

  • City of Champaign, IL: The City of Champaign will receive $66,522 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding to purchase equipment and support training costs.

   

  • City of Granit City, IL: The City of Granite City will receive $23,345 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funding for law enforcement efforts in Granite City, the City of Alton, and Madison County.

   

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, named in memory of a young police officer who was killed while on duty, is administered by the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. The grants are awarded to states and units of local government to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the justice system.