Durbin Meets with Illinois Homeland Security Officials Regarding Anti-Terrorism, Disaster and First Responder Funding
DURBIN MEETS WITH ILLINOIS HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS REGARDING ANTI-TERRORISM, DISASTER AND FIRST RESPONDER FUNDING
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois Homeland Security officials in his Capitol office to discuss their concerns with cuts proposed to Illinois terrorism prevention programs, emergency grants, and local emergency response programs in the President's FY07 budget.
"The 9/11 Commission and the Bush administration tell us that we are still at high risk of terrorist attack, yet the President's budget cuts homeland security grants and funding for local police and firefighters," said Durbin. "The administration's insistence on billions of dollars in new tax breaks for the wealthy is driving up our national debt and forcing deep cuts in critical security and disaster preparedness programs in Illinois. We need to make funding for state terrorism prevention programs, emergency performance grants and first responders a top priority. This budget does not."
In today's meeting, Illinois Homeland Security officials pointed to three key Illinois security programs that are either eliminated or severely handicapped by the budget proposed last week:
# Elimination of the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP)
# Cuts to Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG)
# Cuts in Assistance to Firefighters
"In the new reality we live in, it's critical that communities across the State have the equipment and resources they need to respond rapidly to disaster -- whether it's caused by humans or nature," noted Jill Morgenthaler, Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety. "Under Governor Blagojevich's leadership, Illinois has made significant strides in improving communication between local, state and federal agencies, as well as preparing to contain and respond to a wide variety of potential threats. Unfortunately, the budget proposed by President Bush could make it harder for us to continue supporting communities' preparedness efforts. And as the Governor has already raised with the President, the Pentagon's proposed cuts to the Illinois National Guard could be devastating to our homeland security. We appreciate Senator Durbin's leadership on this issue in Washington and look forward to working with the entire Illinois delegation to maintain a strong homeland security network."
Federal funds to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in preventing and responding to potential acts of terrorism would be dramatically cut with the elimination of the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program, which awarded Illinois $12.8 million in 2005. The program received $400 million nationwide in 2005, but this year the President's budget eliminated all funding for the program. The President's budget would place new burdens on states by forcing them to divert funds from other law enforcement grant programs.
Illinois Homeland Security officials also voiced concern with the loss of critical funds that help state and local emergency managers develop, maintain and improve capabilities of emergency personnel and evaluate emergency related exercises. Last year, Illinois received $5.7 million in Emergency Management and Performance Grants (EMPG); this year, that funding may be reduced by nearly 10 percent.
Durbin said the meeting also focused on significant cuts to programs that provide funds for firefighters, including the elimination of the Staffing and Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Firefighter Hiring Program, which provides funding to fire departments to hire additional firefighters and first responders. In Illinois, over $1.3 million was awarded to fire departments for hiring and recruiting additional firefighters in 2005.
The President's budget also makes it harder for Illinois to provide equipment and training to fire departments by cutting funds for other firefighter assistance programs by almost 50 percent. Nationwide, these programs will be cut from $545 million in FY2006 to $293 million in FY2007. Illinois received over $25 million for equipment through these grant programs in FY2006.
Illinois homeland security officials said they were also concerned that a recent announcement by the U.S. Secretary of the Army regarding troop reductions coupled with other program cuts in the President's proposed budget could result in the loss of up to 1,000 soldiers from the Illinois National Guard, including an Infantry battalion and the CH47 heavy-lift aviation company. Illinois officials are concerned that such a reduction in National Guardsmen would make it difficult to respond adequately in the case of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.
Today's meeting was attended by Jill Morgenthaler, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Safety, Bill Burke, the Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Mike Chamness, Director of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force and Margaret Larson, Director of Governor Blagojevich's Washington D.C. office.
http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=251545&&