Sorensen Announces Funding to Reduce Crime in Rockford

ROCKFORD, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen and the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs are announcing $189,312 for the City of Rockford to enhance the city’s radio and communications system to better connect officers and make neighborhoods safer.

“Our brave law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to serve our communities, often with strained budgets and without adequate equipment and technology,” said Sorensen. “I applaud this vital federal funding coming to our region to help local departments better protect neighborhoods. I look forward to working with local officials to make sure Illinois continues to have a seat at the table when it comes to investments like these.”

“At the City of Rockford, we continue to invest heavily into our police department. We appreciate the supplemental funding from the Department of Justice for our backup communication systems, which ensures we have the most robust system available,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara. 

The funding was awarded as part of DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to help prevent and address crime in Northern Illinois. 

Currently, the geographic area overseen by the Rockford Police Department is wider than the coverage area for the departments’ backup radio and communications system, which relies on two radio receivers. This grant funding will allow the city to enhance the communications system with five additional receivers and upgrade technologies in the city’s dispatch center systems. 

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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