Title
Joint resolution authorizing the acceptance and execution of a Smart Prosecution - Innovation Prosecution Solutions grant awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office for forensic analysis software (GrayKey) that the Cyber Crimes Unit can utilize to extract data from electronic devices, including an emergency appropriation of $59,629 in federal funds.
Staff Summary
• The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has applied for a Smart Prosecution - Innovation Prosecution Solutions grant through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
• The grant term is for two years, from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2025.
• In recent years, there have been multiple challenges with the forensic examination of newer electronic devices. This has made it difficult for law enforcement and the Cyber Unit to extract data that could be used to obtain critical information in the investigation of violent or white-collar crime cases. With the procurement of GrayKey software, criminal investigators and analysts will be able to quickly extract file information from an electronic device. Additionally, the GrayKey software is constantly being updated as new security features are released by developers.
• Program funding of $59,629 is allocated to the LCSAO and includes one year of GrayKey software costs. No match is required for this award.
• If funding for this service ends, and new funding is not secured, the service will be eliminated.
Body
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) posted a notice of funding opportunity for a Smart Prosecution - Innovation Prosecution Solutions grant for the term of two years, starting October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office submitted an application to implement a superior forensic analysis software tool to improve data extraction in electronic devices. Federal program funding of $59,629 includes software costs for one year; and
WHEREAS, if awarded the federal grant amount of $59,629, it will be necessary to appropriate this amount; and
WHEREAS, the State’s Attorney’s Office recommends that the Lake County Board, the State’s Attorney and the Treasurer be authorized to execute the necessary documents, accept and execute the grant, if awarded; and
WHEREAS, if funding for this service ends, and new funding is not secured, the service will be eliminated.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the acceptance and execution of a Smart Prosecution - Innovation Prosecution Solutions grant for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, for the period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2025, is hereby authorized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if awarded, an emergency appropriation in the amount of $59,629 is hereby authorized for the Smart Prosecution grant in expenditure account 71230 and revenue account of 101-3323010-45334; 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 Lake County 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 14, 2023.