The “Less Lethal Alternatives for Law Enforcement” grant serves to support the purchases of less lethal devices and to provide training for qualifying agencies. The grant serves to provide the selected agencies with a to-be-determined amount of ILEAS Taser Packages, which will include the proper training as well. The grant will also make funding available for training on topics such as de-escalation, cultural competency, trauma-informed response, etc.
In May 2023, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), pursuant to language in the Illinois State Legislature SAFE-T Act, posted a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the “Less Lethal Alternatives for Law Enforcement” grant. ILEAS collaborated with the Illinois Sheriff’s Association (ISA) and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) and their members regarding this grant opportunity. Based on a statewide survey of needs, it was determined that Taser devices were the preferred device to purchase and distribute to requesting agencies.
In June 2023 ILEAS applied for this funding opportunity and ICJIA accepted the proposal in August 2023. ICJIA and ILEAS completed a signed agreement in December 2023. Currently, the grant deadline is June 30, 2024; however, according to the manufacturer AXON, the expected timeline for shipping and receiving Taser devices is approximately 120-150 days. As a result, ICJIA has requested to have the funds re-appropriated to the next State fiscal cycle beginning July 2024.
Participation Details
ILEAS plans to launch the application before the next fiscal cycle in anticipation that the money will be re-appropriated. Interested and eligible agencies will be able to log in to their agency’s home page through the ILEAS website where a link to the application will be located. Once posted, completed applications must be submitted within the application window.
Award purchases will be contingent on grant funding being continued through the next State of Illinois fiscal cycle. As result, no award purchases will take place prior to July 2024 once grant funding has been allocated. An announcement will be made on the ILEAS website when grant applications can be accepted. ILEAS intends to go live in the spring. After the application period closes, all applications will be scored by a selected panel of law enforcement professionals and subject matter experts recognized by ILEAS, ISA, and the ILACP. Agency awards could take several weeks depending on the number of applicants.
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Eligible local law enforcement agencies are agencies for cities, towns, villages or other incorporated areas; sheriff departments of unincorporated areas; and law enforcement for any unit of local government, as defined by the Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, or a municipal corporation in this state. Law Enforcement agencies for colleges, universities, and the State of Illinois are ineligible for funding.
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Agencies may only request Tasers for sworn law enforcement officers.
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Recipient departments will be selected through a competitive application process.
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The application will be available at www.ileas.org.
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Agencies must apply individually.
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Agencies do not need to be members of ILEAS to apply.
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ICJIA has mandated some grant eligibility requirements. Two of them are bulleted below:
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Every Recipient Agency receiving less lethal device(s) must have a policy governing the use of less lethal devices that conforms to all applicable State and Federal Laws by the time of device deployment.
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Law enforcement officers receiving devices must be trained to use the device and must be instructed in the lawful use of force and policies governing the use of the device. Agencies must commit to providing refresher training on the devices as recommended by the manufacturer
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Agencies should also understand that ILEAS will be reimbursing agencies for specific hardware outlined below.
Hardware provided through the grant -
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ILEAS Taser Package (Taser 7/ Taser 10) will include the handle, battery, holster, magazine, and training/duty cartridges for initial certification and deployment.
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This grant does not cover leasing of equipment. Agencies will enter into a contractual agreement with the distributor (Axon) to receive direct shipping and associated warranty/licensing of devices.
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Any additional hardware, extended warranties, or services will be at the agency’s expense.
The “Less Lethal Alternatives for Law Enforcement” facilitates qualifying Law Enforcement agencies in creating or expanding their Taser programs as well as providing additional training on de-escalation, mediation, and related topics.