State FY2027 Less-Lethal Alternatives for Law Enforcement Grant - TASER GRANT APPLICATIONS CLOSED 10/09/2026 - The application period for the Less Lethal Alternatives for Law Enforcement Grant has now closed. Thank you to all of those agencies who applied for Tasers. In the next few weeks, staff will be reviewing, scoring, and ranking the applications. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Sheriff's Association will approve and certify the final scores and rankings. Once this process is completed, award or denial letters will be sent out.
In conjunction with the SAFE-T Act, the Illinois Legislature has allocated $5 million to assist eligible law enforcement agencies in acquiring less-lethal alternatives, including Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs), and related training.
The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) oversees the grant program, and the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) has been designated as the lead entity to administer the grant.
- The Illinois Legislature has appropriated the funds necessary to make this opportunity possible and ICJIA has announced ILEAS as the public agency to make awards to local law enforcement, but the grant agreement has not been finalized. In an effort to avoid delaying the award of tasers to individual law enforcement agencies, ILEAS is taking applications at this time. No award or purchase of tasers will be possible until the grant agreement from ICJIA to ILEAS has been completed.
Funding and Award Information
Previous grant awards were generally limited to five or six devices per agency. For the FY2027 grant cycle, ILEAS anticipates that agencies may be eligible to receive more devices and encourages applicants to request the full number of devices needed by their agency.
The final number of devices awarded will be based on the number of eligible applicants, available funding, and each agency's demonstrated need. Agencies that received awards during previous grant cycles are eligible to apply.
Eligible law enforcement agencies may apply for TASER 7 and/or TASER 10 device packages.
Eligible Agencies
Eligible law enforcement agencies are defined by ICJIA as agencies serving:
- A city, town, village, or other incorporated area;
- A sheriff's department serving an unincorporated area; or
- A law enforcement agency for any unit of local government, as defined by Article VII of the Illinois Constitution, or a municipal corporation in Illinois.
The following agencies are not eligible for funding under this grant opportunity:
- College and university law enforcement agencies; and
- State of Illinois law enforcement agencies.
Application Process
Recipient agencies will be selected through a competitive application process.
For ILEAS member agencies, the application link will be posted on the agency's membership page on the ILEAS website. Agencies are encouraged to log in to their ILEAS account now and verify that all departmental and point-of-contact information is current.
Non-ILEAS member agencies must contact ILEAS grant staff to receive the application link and instructions. Grant staff contact information is located at the end of this document.
Award Packages
Each awarded device will include the package described below. Recipient agencies will enter into a contractual agreement with Axon for the purchase and direct shipment of the awarded equipment, including applicable warranty and licensing.
Devices ordered, purchased, or received before the grant award are not eligible for reimbursement. The grant does not cover equipment leasing or costs outside the specific items included in the awarded package. Any additional hardware, extended warranties, services, or other costs will be the responsibility of the recipient agency.
Taser 7 Package
- Handle/Device, Battery, Holster, 3 Standoff Cartridges, 3 Close Quarter Cartridges
Taser 10 Package
- Handle/Device, Battery, Duty Magazine, Holster, 17 Live Cartridges, 5 HALT Cartridges
Manufacturer specifications can be found at; TASER 7 TASER 10
Conditions and Requirements:
- Each application will be reviewed to ensure compliance with the terms of the grant.
- Recipient Agencies must complete all required grant paperwork and obtain all required authorized signatures.
- Recipient Agencies will be required to sign a Recipient Agreement acknowledging receipt of the device(s) and follow the terms of the agreement. Provisions of the agreement include:
- Recipient will conduct appropriate and effective preventative maintenance and keep Awarded Devices in good operating condition
- Recipient is responsible for the costs of maintenance, replacement or purchase of expendables, not included in the original device package
- This agreement shall not give or allow any claim or right of action by any third person or entity (including, but not limited to, members of the general public)
- It is not the duty, function, responsibility or purpose of ILEAS to deploy, supply, direct, command or manage any law enforcement personnel
- 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.
- 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 by the time of deployment.
- Recipient Agencies must commit to providing training consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Axon will receive a list of the Recipient Agencies and will coordinate directly with each agency regarding the purchase and delivery of awarded equipment.
- Recipient Agencies must agree to a site visit to discuss the program and compliance with grant requirement. Approximately 80% of Recipient Agencies were visited during the previous grant cycle.
- Recipient Agencies are required to maintain records or documentation of this award, in accordance with their records retention policies.
- After the required documentation has been submitted and verified, ILEAS will issue a reimbursement check payable to the Recipient Agency. The agency will then be responsible for payment to Axon.
- Training costs are not included in the award package and are the responsibility of the Recipient Agency. Training may be coordinate through Axon during the purchasing process or through another qualified resource, such as an MTU or local agency with a certified Taser instructor. Grant staff are available to answer questions and provide additional guidance.
Agency Process:
- Submit the application
- Receive an award or denial letter
- If awarded, complete and sign the Recipient Agreement
- Enter into contractual agreement with Axon to receive the awarded devices, applicable warranty and licensing, and mutually agreed-upon deliverables
- Notify ILEAS grant staff that the purchase agreement with Axon has been completed by submitting a Chief's Letter on agency letterhead. A template will be provided.
- Scan and email PDF copies of all packing slips to ILEAS grant staff as equipment is received.
- After all awarded items have been received, submit the completed reimbursement form and email a PDF copy of the Axon invoice to ILEAS grant staff.
- After verification, ILEAS will issue a reimbursement check payable to the recipient agency.
- A site visit may be scheduled to discuss the program and the agency’s compliance with grant requirements.
Questions regarding the Less Lethal Alternatives for Law Enforcement Grant may be directed to ILEASLLAGrant@ileas.org or call (217) 328-3800, Ext 404. ILEAS Grant Team:
Special Programs Manager Device Coordinator Training Coordinator
John Konopek Tony Shaw Scott Allen
jjkonopek@ileas.org sashaw@ileas.org smallen@ileas.org
815-405-6444 217-531-0479 815-530-5169