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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Lt. Tom McNamara, Aurora Police Department
DATE: 11/18/2025
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant award of $24,000.00 from the Illinois Attorney General's Office as part of the 2026 Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Grant Program.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council approval of a grant to be used to enhance the Aurora Police Department in the detection, investigation, and reduction of organized retail crimes within Aurora..
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Police Department has a longstanding commitment to the reduction of retail crime in Aurora. Aurora is privileged to include many retail mercantile establishments, including the Chicago Premium Outlets, Fox Valley Mall, and many other retail establishments all which provide retail services to the greater Aurora area.
The Aurora Police Department received a grant from the Illinois Attorney General's office under the Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Program and intends to use this funding to fight retail crime in and around the retail centers within the City of Aurora.
DISCUSSION:
This grant will provide $24,000.00 over a 12-month period from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. $12,000.00 of the award is reimbursement of overtime for the Aurora Police Department as it conducts regular details in the retail shopping areas located within the City of Aurora.
Another $12,000.00 of the award is specified to be used towards the procurement of a mobile security camera trailer. (see page 12 of the attached award agreement for the project budget) The mobile security camera trailer is expected to cost over the $12,000.00 grant budgeted amount. The cost overage has been budgeted for via 2026 asset forfeiture funds.
The Grant Revenue will be placed in account 101-3536-334.30-02. Equipment expenses will be made following the City's Purchasing Policies and funded through account 101-3536-421.50-50. Overtime reimbursement will be funded through account 101-3536-421.10-02.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution must be approved and signed to properly execute the agreement and to begin implementing the project.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request approval of a Resolution to accept a grant award of $24,000.00 from the Illinois Attorney General's Office as part of the Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Grant Program
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the City to accept a grant award of $24,000.00 from the Illinois Attorney General's Office as part of the 2026 Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Grant Program.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Police Department has a longstanding commitment to the reduction of retail crime in Aurora; and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Police Department received a grant from the Illinois Attorney General's office under the Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Program; and
WHEREAS, this grant will provide $24,000.00 over a 12-month period from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 and is intended to pay for overtime for the Aurora Police Department and towards the procurement of a mobile security camera trailer; and
WHEREAS, The Grant Revenue will be placed in account 101-3536-334.30-02. Expenses will be made following the City's Purchasing Policies and funded through accounts 101-3536-421.50-50 and 101-3536-421.10-02; and)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the City is authorized to accept a grant award of $24,000.00 from the Illinois Attorney General's Office as part of the Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Grant Program.