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TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Lt. Tom McNamara, Aurora Police Department
Lt. Andy Wolcott, Aurora Police Department
DATE: 09/17/2026
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 2027 Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Grant Program.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council approval to accept a grant award to be used to aid 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 assist us in fighting 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, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The entirety of the award will be utilized as partial payment for the 2027 contract year of FUSUS software currently utilized by the Aurora Police Department. FUSUS provides situational awareness and investigative insight that will assist our officers in combating organized retail crime.
FUSUS is a budgeted item previously approved in a 2024 decision package through 2028. The 2027 contracted rate for FUSUS is $125,000.00. In an effort to reduce costs to the City, the Aurora Police Department applied for this grant. The acceptance of this grant will offset the budgeted funds needed for the FUSUS software.
The grant revenue will be budgeted in the 2027 budget. Grant funds will be received to account 255-3536-334.30-02. Following the City's Purchasing Policies, the funds will be approved for payment of the 2027 FUSUS invoice from expense account 255-3536-421.45-02.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution must be approved and signed to properly execute the agreement and receive the grant award.
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 2027 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, 2026 through June 30, 2027 and be utilized as partial payment for the 2027 contract year of FUSUS software currently utilized by the Aurora Police Department; and
WHEREAS, The Grant Revenue will be budgeted in the 2027 Budget and received to account 255-3536-334.30-02. Expenses will be made following the City's Purchasing policies through account 255-3536-421.45-02 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.