In a recent government meeting, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office secured two significant grants aimed at enhancing victim assistance and gun violence prevention initiatives. The first grant, amounting to $47,000, is part of a long-standing funding program from the Illinois Attorney General's office, which has supported domestic violence victim specialists since 1990. This funding will help cover the salary and benefits for a Safety Act victim specialist, marking the first time the office has successfully submitted two applications for this grant and received approval for both.

The second grant, totaling $37,683, is a six-month extension of a previous gun violence prevention initiative. This funding will partially support the salary of the violence prevention council coordinator, who plays a crucial role in responding to shooting incidents and collaborating with local violence prevention services. The coordinator, Rachel Jacoby, is responsible for data collection and coordination among various stakeholders in the community.

Additionally, the meeting addressed a larger grant of $125,767, which will not only continue funding for the gun violence victim specialist but also allow for the addition of a new full-time employee in the State's Attorney's Office. This funding is part of a broader effort to combat gun violence in the region, with the office having previously received a total of $324,000 in grants for similar initiatives.

All motions to accept these grants were unanimously approved, reflecting a strong commitment to enhancing public safety and supporting victims of violence in Lake County.