ICJIA Budget Actions Taken August 21, 2025

On August 21, 2025, the ICJIA Budget Committee approved three future funding opportunities totaling $29.7 million and awarded $30.6 million in grants to agencies and organizations across Illinois.

Notices of Funding Opportunity

The Budget Committee set aside:

• $20 million in appropriated SFY26 Violent Crime Witness Protection Program funds to support victims’ expenses, including the relocation of witnesses, victims, and others involved in violent crime prosecution throughout the criminal court process.
• $6.8 million in Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funds to support evidence-based, trauma-centered services for underserved victims of violent crime, including, but not limited to, victims of gun violence.
• $2.9 million in VOCA funds to support transitional housing for victims of domestic violence.

Designations

The Budget Committee designated:

• Almost $700,000 in SFY26 Bullying Prevention program funding to nine community organizations across Illinois.
• $16.2 million in SFY26 Community-Based Violence Intervention Program Funds to the programs to 86 community organizations across the state.
• $1.4 million in SFY26 Violence Prevention and Reduction funds five community organizations.
• $1.7 million in SFY26 Death Penalty Abolition funds to five community organizations to provide services to survivors of homicide victims.
• $5.1 million In FFY22, Justice Assistance Grants were awarded to 31 criminal justice entities to support public defense services, prosecution services, and drug task forces, and address transportation barriers.
• $1 million in FFY23 State Crisis Intervention Program funding to the Chicago Police Department and Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to support firearm restraining order compliance and enforcement.
• $740,000 in FFY23 and FFY24 Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Act funding to provide services to people residing at the Illinois Department of Corrections.
• $750,000 in FFY22, FFY23, and FFY24 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds to continue to support eight organizations in providing culturally specific victim services.
• $3 million in FFY24 VAWA funds to support healing services at four trauma recovery centers across Illinois.