[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a total of $3,414,644 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,” said Durbin.  “These initiatives will help promote the fair and cost-effective administration of justice, help justice agencies quickly analyze evidence and solve crimes, and will help provide vital assistance and legal representation to those who have been the victims of crimes.”

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

• The Illinois State Police Department (Springfield, IL): $2,564,645 in funding through the DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program. The Illinois State Police will use this funding to help local units of government reduce backlogs of DNA evidence. These improvements are critical to preventing future DNA backlogs and to helping the criminal justice system utilize the full potential of DNA technology.

• University of Illinois at Springfield (Springfield, IL): $249,999 in funding through Wrongful Conviction Review Program. This funding will be used to investigate credible claims of innocence in Illinois and conduct litigation to remedy any wrongful conviction.

• Metropolitan Family Services (Chicago, IL): $400,000 in funding through the National Training and Program Development Non-Competitive Discretionary Grant Programs. Metropolitan Family Services will use this award to provide free, comprehensive legal assistance to victims of crime.
   
•  Kankakee County (Kankakee, IL): $200,000 in funding through the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program. Kankakee County will use this award to improve mental health courts, pretrial services, and metal health and illness support services.