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Lansing receives Powering Safe Communities grant

ComEd, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus award public safety grants to 25 northern Illinois communitiesinformation provided by ComEd

CHICAGO, Ill. (August 11, 2019) – On August 7, ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus announced grants of up to $10,000 each to 25 public agencies through the ComEd Powering Safe Communities Program. From digital messaging and speed notification signage to cameras that help locate victims in danger, the projects address critical safety needs in the communities ComEd serves.

In Lansing, the grant will support the purchase of pole-mounted radar signs equipped with data loggers and cordless handheld radar units. The radar units, which will be used in school zones and other high-traffic and accident-prone areas, can provide instant feedback to drivers and collect data regarding traffic volume and vehicle speeds. The project will last one year, during which traffic data will be analyzed to determine optimal time and location for traffic enforcement.

“The safety of the public and our employees is our highest priority,” said Melissa Washington, vice president of governmental and external affairs at ComEd. “That’s why we partner with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus each year through the ComEd Powering Safe Communities Program to promote a culture of safety and wellness in our communities. By providing local agencies with the resources required to help address public safety needs, we’re powering a brighter, more resilient future for the residents they serve.”

Calumet City was also a grant recipient. In that municipality the grant will support the purchase of a back-up generator for City Hall to enable visitors to use a lift to reach the second-floor safely in the event of power outages. The generator will help to provide sustainable access for all to the city’s administrative activities, services, traffic court, and more.

And in Dolton, another recipient, the grant will support the purchase of portable, programmable, and energy-efficient speed display signs for multiple locations throughout the village, as well as portable traffic-calming devices to enhance safety in school zones and residential locations. The signs will be used in conjunction with bright LED blinkers to increase motorists’ awareness of their speed in these critical areas.

Since 2015, ComEd has supported critical safety needs of local municipalities through Powering Safe Communities, bringing essential public safety programs and services to people and populations throughout the energy company’s service territory.

For the past four grant cycles, ComEd has collaborated with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, a council for Chicagoland’s chief elected officials, on public policy issues and to fund $670,000 worth of public safety projects throughout northern Illinois. Through this collaboration, ComEd provides the program funding, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus administers the grants to local communities, and grant recipients match ComEd’s contribution with their own funding of equal or greater value.

Other grant recipients this year include the Amboy Fire Protection District, City of Berwyn, Village of Bradley Police Department, City of DeKalb Police Department, Village of Diamond, Village of Fox River Grove, Village of Hazel Crest, City of Joliet, Village of La Grange Park, Village of Lake Bluff, Village of Lake Zurich Fire Department, Lombard Police Department, Village of Mokena Police Department, Morrison Police Department, Niles Police Department, Village of Northbrook Police Department, Village of Palos Park, Village of Plainfield Police Department, Village of Spring Grove Police Department, Streamwood Police Department, Village of University Park, and Village of Villa Park.

“For the past four years, we have been able to leverage over $1.8 million for 95 local public safety projects,” said Joseph Tamburino, Mayor of Hillside, Ill., and Chairman of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. “Our partnership with ComEd has put our shared public safety commitment into action and increased community resiliency. We are grateful for ComEd’s generosity.”

Earlier this year, public agencies from across communities that ComEd serves submitted grant applications, which were then reviewed by an advisory committee comprising public safety, local government, and allied professionals.

The Lansing Journal
The Lansing Journalhttps://thelansingjournal.com
The Lansing Journal publishes news releases from state, county, and local officials who provide information that impacts local community life. The particular contributor of each post is indicated in the byline.