Feds helping Illinois reduce DNA backlog

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Police is to receive $2.5 million in federal money to reduce the state's backlog of DNA evidence.

Illinois State Police director Jonathon Monken on Monday announced the money from the U.S. Department of Justice. State police say the funding will be used to pay overtime compensation to employees who handle, screen and analyze DNA forensic evidence. The money also will be used to buy supplies.

State police applied for the grant money in June.

Monken says state police are "fully committed to reducing the current backlog at its forensics laboratories."