Cook County Awards Over $2 Million in Urban Area Security Initiatives Funds to Local Municipalities

The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) announced awards of more than $2 million in Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Grant funding to 19 fire, police and public works agencies to 18 Cook County municipalities.

UASI funds must support terrorism preparedness by building capabilities that relate to the prevention of, response to and recovery from terrorism. Municipalities will utilize these awards to enhance security for critical infrastructure, conduct threat and hazard identification, provide training and purchase equipment

Communities receiving funds include: Broadview, Bridgeview, Burr Ridge, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Chicago Heights, Dolton, Evanston, Hillside, Justice, Lansing, Mount Prospect, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Prospect Heights, Rosemont, Schaumburg and Tinley Park.

“Cook County is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country and faces threats associated with large urban areas,” said William Barnes, executive director of EMRS. “The projects municipalities are undertaking will help to make all of the County’s residents more secure.”

In addition to projects undertaken by municipalities, EMRS is utilizing UASI funding to provide training, planning and response initiatives County-wide.