Several area police departments get county-based stimulus grants

As law enforcement agencies struggle to maintain services on tight budgets, a handful of Northwest suburban police departments are getting a little help.

Cook County officials tapped Arlington Heights, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Wheeling and 32 other municipalities in the county to get more than $90,000 apiece in federal stimulus and Justice Assistance Grant funds.

"Hopefully this will help ease the challenging decision of whether to look to local taxpayers or cut down on services," Cook County Judicial Advisory Council Executive Director Dan Coughlin said.

The public safety grants are to be used toward crime prevention programs, related equipment or overtime costs, Coughlin said.

The departments getting the money were selected based on their past participation in the grant program.

Local police departments are also in the process of applying for a $69,505 federal stimulus award and can apply for an additional $20,813 grant later this spring.

"We've met with command staff to discuss possible projects, but it's too premature to discuss them because nothing is concrete just yet," Schaumburg Police Sgt. John Nebl said.

Similarly, Palatine and Wheeling police officials said they'd wait until a Feb. 19 meeting with the county to learn more about reporting requirements and announce their proposals.

Cook County was awarded a total of $7.1 million in stimulus funds. After the suburban police departments, the remaining $4 million-plus is being split between the State's Attorney's office, Sheriff's office, Chief Judge's office and four not-for-profit organizations including Maywood-based Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action.

Coughlin said the county is under no obligation to channel the funds to local municipalities or nonprofit agencies, but Board President Todd Stroger's administration decided the infusion of financial support was especially vital due to budget shortfalls in recent months.

Stroger announced the grants at a news conference Monday surrounded by representatives from several public safety agencies.