Title
Joint resolution authorizing the acceptance and execution of a Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) grant awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to the Illinois Innocence Project (IIP) to partner with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office to reduce, through DNA testing, the number of wrongful convictions within Lake County, including an emergency appropriation of $91,730 in federal funds, if awarded.
Staff Summary
* The Lake County State's Attorney's Office is the recipient of a Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) grant through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The Illinois Innocence Project submitted the application for funding.
* The grant term is for two years, starting October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023.
* The Illinois Innocence Project (IIP), who will act as lead agency, seeks to collaborate with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office (LCSAO) as subgrantee, to support DNA casework and reduce the number of wrongful convictions, including litigating postconviction cases.
* The IIP has two decades of experience and success in evaluating and investigating postconviction cases, resulting in the exoneration of 20 innocent individuals. Partnering together, both agencies hope to restore community trust in the justice system through transparency and integrity.
* First year program funding of $91,730 is allocated to the LCSAO. This includes 55 percent of salary and fringe for a Conviction Integrity Unit Director, who is an experienced attorney that currently serves as Chief of the Rehabilitative Services Unit in the LCSAO. In addition, 40 percent of the salary for a paralegal and computer equipment for this position will also be funded. No match is required for this award.
* If funding for these positions and services end, and new funding is not secured, the positions and services will be eliminated.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) posted a notice of funding opportunity for a Conviction Integrity U...
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