[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the distribution of $83,663,470 in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants to seven Illinois communities and the state of Illinois. These funds are part of the $2 billion in funding available nationwide under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Byrne grants are often used by state and local governments for programs dealing with drug prevention and enforcement, law enforcement information sharing, and combating gangs.
The following communities will receive Byrne grant funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
• Chicago, Cook County: $28,663,987
• Naperville, DuPage County: $82,525
• Aurora, Kane County: $609,325
• Peoria, Peoria County: $779,744
• Springfield, Sangamon County: $1,374,655
• Joliet, Will County: $459,820
• Rockford, Winnebago County: $1,495,333
• State of Illinois, Statewide: $50,198,081
The Byrne grant program, administered by Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, allows states and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and improve the criminal justice system. Byrne grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice for any one or more of the following purpose areas: law enforcement programs; prosecution and court programs; prevention and education programs; corrections and community corrections programs; drug treatment programs; and planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs.