[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $756,553 in grants to Illinois agencies to help train officials to investigate and properly prosecute offenders of Internet crimes against children. Today’s funding was made available through DOJ’s FY14 Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Invited Awards.

“Today’s funding is an important investment in the Illinois justice system,” said Durbin.  “This initiative will help promote the administration of justice and help justice agencies protect children from some of the most abhorrent crimes.”

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

• The Illinois Attorney General’s Office (Chicago, IL): The Illinois Attorney General’s Office was awarded $413,498 in funding to enhance the detection, investigation, apprehension and prosecution of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation of children.

• Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (Chicago, IL): The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office was awarded $343,055 in funding to enhance the detection, investigation, apprehension and prosecution of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation of children.