Illinois Bill Could Provide $25M in Grants to Groups Receiving Threats

The bill would authorize the Illinois secretary of state to approve grant funding based on threats assessments from nonprofit agencies.

December 26, 2019 04:08 AM

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. — An Illinois lawmaker is seeking $25 million to help Jewish organizations tighten security after a series of threats and vandalism at Jewish institutions nationwide.

Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang introduced the legislation Monday. It would fund a grant program in the secretary of state’s office for “emergency” upgrades to prevent or respond to “acts of terrorism.”

Last week, the Chicago Jewish Day School was evacuated because of a bomb threat that turned out to be false. The Anti-Defamation League in New York and several Jewish centers across the nation also received bomb threats.

The Democrat’s legislation authorizes the secretary of state to approve a grant of any amount based on a detailed threat assessment from a nonprofit agency.

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The bills are HB4011 and HB4012

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Find out more on ILGA.gov.

Emergency Management Grants