Title
Joint resolution authorizing the acceptance and execution of an Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking grant awarded by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office (LCSAO) to establish the Lake County Human Trafficking Task Force, including an emergency appropriation of $686,812 in federal funds.
Staff Summary
• The LCSAO has applied for an ECM Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking grant through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP).
• The grant term is for three years, with a period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027.
• The LCSAO will partner with A Safe Place to establish the Lake County Human Trafficking Task Force in an effort to reduce human trafficking, provide services to the survivors and aggressively find and prosecute traffickers.
• Program funding includes $686,812 that is allocated to the LCSAO and includes salary and benefits for a full-time Human Trafficking (HT) Task Force Investigator/Training Coordinator, a full-time HT Assistant State’s Attorney and 50 percent for a HT Task Force Coordinator. This last role will be shared equally with A Safe Place, who has also budgeted 50 percent of salary and benefits for this individual.
• If funding for this program ends, and new funding is not secured, the program and staffing will be eliminated.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) posted a notice of funding opportunity for an Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking grant for the term of three years, starting October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office (LCSAO) submitted an application to establish the Lake County Human Trafficking Task Force in conjunction with A Safe Place. Federal program funding of $686,812 includes two and one-half full-time staff consisting of a Human Trafficking (HT) Task Force Investigator/Training Coordinator, a HT Assistant State’s Attorney and 50 percent for a HT Task Force Coordinator; training and other supplies; and
WHEREAS, the federal grant amount of $686,812 must be formally accepted by Lake County and it is necessary to appropriate the federal grant funds; and
WHEREAS, the State’s Attorney’s Office recommends that the Chairman of the
County Board, the State’s Attorney and the Treasurer be authorized to execute the necessary documents to accept and execute the grant; and
WHEREAS, if funding for this program ends, and new funding is not secured, the program will be eliminated.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County,
Illinois, that the acceptance and execution of an Enhanced Collaborative Model Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking grant for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, for the period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027, is hereby authorized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an emergency appropriation in the amount of $686,812 in federal grant funding and offsetting revenue is hereby authorized for the Human Trafficking Task Force grant as detailed in the attached chart of accounts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the State’s Attorney shall serve as project director for the program, and accurate records of all necessary grant compliance requirements shall be kept by the State’s Attorney Office; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board, the Lake County State’s Attorney, and the Lake County Treasurer are hereby authorized to execute the necessary documentation in order to accept the grant award.
DATED, at Waukegan, Illinois, on November 12, 2024.