TO: Public Safety Committee
FROM: Robert Brown, Chief of Police
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Requesting Authorization to Enter into a Regular 2026 Justice Assistance Grant Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Joliet and Will County
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BACKGROUND:
For the past seventeen years, the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant has been made available to the City of Joliet and Will County. Awards are based on population and the number of Part I violent crimes each jurisdiction reports to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These funds have been used for law enforcement purposes, generally for items that are not funded through the regular budget.
The requirements for this grant program indicate that the funds must be shared with Will County, which takes on the greatest burden of housing arrestees. In 2026, one Justice Assistance grant is available to the City of Joliet and Will County: the FY 2026 JAG. After discussing the award with Will County Representatives, the FY 2026 award of $87,448 will be split equally between the two agencies, each receiving $43,724.
The Joliet Police Department has elected to allocate funds to purchase emergency vehicle pre-emption (EVP) system transmitters. While some manual devices have been distributed to the Traffic Unit for use during special events and funeral processions, no regular patrol vehicles have been equipped with these units. Research from the U.S. Department of Transportation suggests these units can reduce response times and squad crashes when responding to emergency calls for service. The City will implement a pilot program by purchasing 25 units to determine whether these benefits apply to our city.
Will County has elected to use its portion of the funds for law enforcement purposes.
The City of Joliet Police Department will handle all programmatic and financial reporting, submit all necessary paperwork, and, if awarded, accept the award on behalf of both agencies
CONCLUSION:
The budgeted items will help the Police Department reduce response times and potentially avoid squad crashes when responding to emergencies. There is no required local cash match.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and Council approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the Intergovernmental Agreement in anticipation of receiving an award of $87,448 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
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