SPRINGFIELD — Today, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) announced $20 million in grants have been awarded to 116 non-profit organizations across the state through the 2022 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The funding will be used to help organizations strengthen efforts to protect against public safety and security threats. Many of the grantees are places of worship, reproductive health providers, cultural institutions, and education centers who were deemed at high-risk of a terrorist attack.

"As Governor, my top priority has always been—and will continue to be—keeping Illinoisans safe," said Governor JB Pritzker. "This $20 million investment will provide grantees—from mosques and synagogues to education centers and cultural institutions—the resources they need to enhance safety measures amidst the rising tide of extremism. From Skokie to Peoria, Illinoisans deserve to be able to congregate safely with their communities, and that's exactly what the Nonprofit Security Grant Program achieves."

"When the nonprofits that provide spaces to worship, create, and educate are secure, our communities grow and thrive," said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. "In Illinois, we stand against extremism and hate. These statewide grants are part of our sustained commitment to help broaden protective measures so all Illinoisans can feel safe and well."

Funds must be used for target-hardening activities, which include active shooter trainings, the purchase/installation of security equipment on property owned or leased by the not-for-profit organization, and the hiring of contracted security personnel. Security enhancements must be for the locations that the not-for-profit occupies at the time of the application, and the projects must be fully completed during the three-year (36 month) performance period.

"At a time when threats against cultural and religious institutions have occurred in record numbers, this critical security funding is particularly important," said State Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield). "I am grateful to Governor Pritzker and IEMA for getting these resources to the places they are needed most."

"Though we have taken historic steps to make Illinois the most welcoming state in the nation, there has been a rise in anti-Semitism, anti-Asian American hate, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and hate crimes," said State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). "We must stay vigilant and provide as many tools in the toolbox as possible to root out hate. In that vein, I am grateful to the advocates and the work that was done to allocate resources to organizations in our communities to protect our constituents from harm."

"The 116 non-profit groups will be able to immediately purchase and implement safety measures at their facilities," said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. "Security equipment, facility hardening, and other operational actions are just some ways these groups are increasing safety measures for their organizations."

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the IEMA Office of Homeland Security will continue to identify all expanding threats and work collaboratively with partners to monitor all enhancements and document proven successes.