Sorensen Announces Funding for Local Law Enforcement to Fight Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crimes
ROCKFORD, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) are announcing $750,000 awarded for communities in Northern Illinois to improve criminal justice responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, and other related crimes.
“I am proud to announce this critical funding which gives local law enforcement tools to better protect survivors of domestic abuse and ensures they receive the care and justice they deserve,” said Sorensen. “Our local law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day, often on strained budgets, to keep Illinoisans safe. I’ll continue to be an advocate for investments like these and will work in Congress for bold solutions to reduce crime in our communities.”
“This funding from the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women allows us to support and enhance the work of our Domestic Violence Coordinated Court through increased resources surrounding prosecutor training, Order of Protection service, and the establishment of a Firearms Task Force related to domestic violence matters,” saidJudge Joseph P. Bruscato, Presiding Judge of the Domestic Violence Coordinated Court and Family Division of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court. “We are grateful for the continued support of OVW and our project stakeholders and look forward to continuing our innovative practices related to the justice system’s handling of domestic violence matters.”
“Since 2017, the Freeport Police Department has been the recipient of the OVW grant which has allowed the department to dedicate a Special Victim Unit Detective to domestic violence crimes. The OVW grant has strengthened our relationship with VOICES, a domestic violence advocacy center, and the Stephenson County State’s Attorney’s Office. This third three-year grant will allow the department to continue to make survivors of domestic violence crime a priority,” said Freeport Chief of Police Chris Shenberger.
Winnebago County and the City of Freeport are each receiving $375,000 as part of the OVW’s Improving Criminal Justice Responses to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Grant Program (ICJR Program).
This program fosters victim safety and offender accountability in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by encouraging state and local governments to work together with community organizations to identify problems and find solutions that lead to more effective responses to these crimes.
According to the award announcements, Winnebago County intends to use the funding in partnership with the State’s Attorney’s Office to continue a position focused on the review of jail communications and compliance with no contact orders.
The City of Freeport intends to use the grant funding to support a Freeport Police Department’s Special Victims Unit and a prosecutor in the Stephenson County State’s Attorney’s Office to prosecute domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking cases and to coordinate services with partner agencies.
Congressman Eric Sorensen is the first openly LGBTQ person elected to represent Illinois at the federal level and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal.
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