Cook County to Receive Almost $26.5 Million for Anti-Terrorism Programs

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced today that the County will receive close to $26.5 Million in federal grant funds to assist with security programs that combat terrorism. The funds are distributed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) and will be managed locally by the Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM).

The UASI 2015 funding will go towards training and exercise courses for local law enforcement, fire personnel and other first responders, as well as disaster response and resident preparedness programs. The grant will also support cybersecurity enhancements and critical infrastructure maintenance.

“Our top priority is the safety and security of the residents of and visitors to our County,” said President Preckwinkle. “These grant funds are critical to our urban area, ensuring we are able to combat potential terrorist threats today and for years to come.”

UASI grant funding is made available to the nation’s 28 highest risk, highest threat and highest density urban areas to enhance their regional preparedness and capabilities.

For more information, media may contact Natalia Derevyanny at natalia.derevyanny@cookcountyil.gov or 312.603.8286.

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The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management integrates first responders, their departments and resources from 134 Cook County municipalities, and serves as the central agency in Cook County for coordinating efforts to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from all incidents, whether man-made or natural. For more information, visit our website at www.cookcountyhomelandsecurity.org.