Title
Joint resolution authorizing the renewal of the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center’s program funding awarded by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) through the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (CACI) for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027, including an emergency appropriation of grant funding in the amount of $639,375.31.
Staff Summary
• The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has been awarded $639,375.31 in grant funds from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
• The grant term is July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
• The Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center will use the funds to provide salaries and benefits for current staff, including: three full-time Victim Advocates, one part-time Victim Advocate, a Program Director, a Director of Outreach and Engagement, an Executive Assistant, and contractual Forensic Interviewers assigned to the grant program.
• If funding for these positions ends, and new funding is not secured, the positions will be eliminated.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has renewed a 12-month continuation of the grant program to provide administrative and direct services to child victims of crime during the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, the grant funds in the amount of $639,375.31 for this program will provide salary and benefits for current staff, including: three full-time Victim Advocates, one part-time Victim Advocate, a Program Director, a Director of Outreach and Engagement, an Executive Assistant, and contractual Forensic Interviewers assigned to the grant program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the renewal as described herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the Program Agreement with DCFS for the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center program to provide services to child victims and their families, for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, is hereby accepted; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all revenue and expenditure accounts be emergency appropriated as detailed on the attached financial spreadsheet and allocated to CAC DCFS Grant Management Center 3303020; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center in conjunction with the State’s Attorney’s Office shall serve as the project director for the program, and accurate records of all necessary grant compliance requirements shall be kept by the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chair of the Lake County Board and Lake County Treasurer are hereby authorized to execute the necessary documentation to accept the grant renewal.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on September 8, 2026.