ILEAS to join CPD during NATO/G8 Summit

Posted on February 13, 2012

The News-Gazette recently published an article, which details the upcoming role of the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS), (“a post-9/11 agency” housed in Urbana-Champaign) in the NATO/G8 Summit this May in Chicago. Check out more from the article:

Preparedness is paramount for ILEAS, but funding is plummeting (The News-Gazette), February 2, 2012 — Patrick Wade:

“….

ILEAS officials are already preparing a team similar to last year’s Massac County reinforcements to help the Chicago Police Department in its response to the NATO and G-8 summits this May. Hosted in a different city each year, the events have a history of provoking protests and, in some cases, violence. Page said it is likely that officers from Champaign-Urbana will travel to Chicago to assist.

Those teams and their equipment were assembled when ILEAS had money to spare. But when the recession tightened its grip on the economy in 2008, the agency’s funding was cut nearly in half to $6.9 million. The cutting continued, and last year ILEAS was informed it would have $4 million available to distribute to local police agencies throughout the state. It is the first time funding has dropped below the $6 million mark, which Page believes the agency needs to stay alive.

Last week, a bill was introduced in the General Assembly that would provide a steady source of funding for the agency from criminal cases….”

Read more about ILEAS at The News-Gazette.