The Department of Justice has announced that several agencies and communities in Central Illinois have received Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) grants. These funds are intended to enhance public safety efforts across the region.
A significant portion of the funding, a $1,000,000 BJA Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Site-Based Program grant, has been awarded to Marshall, Putnam, and Stark counties. This grant will support the "Reaching Rural: Rural Roads to Recovery Program," which aims to create a collaborative community-based program for individuals affected by substance use disorder. The program involves several subrecipients including Maitri Path to Wellness, the Henry and Stark County Health Department, and The Society of Growth Inc.
Additionally, over $400,000 in Justice Assistance Grants (JAGs) have been allocated to various law enforcement agencies throughout Central Illinois. Specific allocations include $86,228 for the Champaign Police Department, Urbana Police Department, and Champaign County Sheriff's Office; $53,178 for the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Office and Danville Police Department; $58,510 for the Decatur Police Department; $49,719 for the Moline and Rock Island Police Departments; $11,482 for the Pekin Police Department; $33,963 for Bloomington and Normal Police Departments as well as McLean County Sheriff's Office; and finally $121,391 for Springfield Police Department along with Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office. These grants aim to support projects focused on combating violent crime.
“These funds allow area agencies to expand on the excellent services they provide to their communities,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris. “We commend the U.S. Department of Justice for its continued support of the Central District of Illinois.”
The Bureau of Justice Assistance is recognized as a primary source of federal funding supporting state, local and tribal governments in various program areas such as law enforcement enhancement; prosecution; indigent defense systems; courts operations; crime prevention education programs; corrections management; drug treatment initiatives among others.