MAYOR EMANUEL, CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY ANNOUNCE FEDERAL SECURING THE CITIES PROGRAM EXPANDING TO CHICAGO
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Congressman Mike Quigley today announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Securing the Cities program is expanding to Chicago. The program aims to help local state and law agencies develop radiological and nuclear detection capabilities to guard against potential threats to major metropolitan areas.
“This is an valuable program that will build on Chicago’s strong partnership with the federal government to ensure the safety of our city and the safety of our residents,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I want to thank Congressman Quigley for his work in the Capitol on this important public safety program, and thank Secretary Johnson for ensuring Chicago’s participation.”
“Through my position as the Ranking Member on the Emerging Threats Intelligence subcommittee, I participate in high level briefings on the many threats facing our nation and the City of Chicago,” said Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05). “This DHS grant that Chicago is receiving will aid state and local law enforcement in developing radiological and nuclear detection capabilities, helping protect Chicago from ‘lone wolfs’ or major terrorist attacks. In today’s world, we need to make sure our local law enforcement is ready for anything, and I will continue to work with Mayor Emanuel to ensure that Chicago has the federal funds it needs to be prepared.”
The specific amount of the grant award, and the start date for the Chicago funding, will be announced by DHS in the near future, though each region can receive up to $30 million over a five year period. Launched in 2006, the Securing the Cities program is currently operating in New York City/Jersey City/Newark region, the Los Angeles/Long Beach region and the National Capital Region and is expected to expand to other metropolitan areas in the coming years.
# # #
