FY 2009 Recovery Act JAG Program

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act') and by 42 U.S.C. 3751(a). The stated purposes of the Recovery Act are: to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency by spurring technological advances in science and health; to invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; and to stabilize state and local government budgets, in order to minimize and avoid reductions in essential services and counterproductive state and local tax increases. The Recovery Act places great emphasis on accountability and transparency in the use of taxpayer dollars.

Among other things, it creates a new Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board and a new website ' Recovery.gov ' to provide information to the public, including access to detailed information on grants and contracts made with Recovery Act funds.

The Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program funded under the Recovery Act is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Recovery JAG funds support all components of the criminal justice system, from multi-jurisdictional drug and gang task forces to crime prevention and domestic violence programs, courts, corrections, treatment, and justice information sharing initiatives. Recovery JAG funded projects may address crime through the provision of services directly to individuals and/or communities and by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of criminal justice systems, processes, and procedures.

The disparate jurisdictions of Springfield City and Sangamon County will share the Fiscal Year 2009 Recovery Act JAG award. The city of Springfield will serve as the fiscal agent and use their portion of funds to purchase law enforcement equipment for a prisoner transport vehicle. Sangamon County will use their share of the funds to update and service critical infrastructure projects, fund operational enhancements, training and development, improve violent crime investigation capabilities, and enhance fleet support. The county building's video monitoring system will be upgraded and enhanced with new technology. The Sheriff's Office will improve routine monitoring of the county jail that will enable real-time recording capabilities. The funds will allow the agencies to acquire newer tools to assist in providing officer safety and minimizing threats to the citizens.

NCA/NCF