Illinois Courts help secure federal and private grants for rural communities

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) announced that the Putnam, Marshall, Stark County Probation District was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Foundation for Rural Services-Community Service Grants Program. The Foundation for Rural Services (FRS) is a nonprofit organization that works with the NTCA Rural Broadband Association to sustain and enhance the quality of life in rural America.

The Community Service Grant provides funds to rural areas for several different initiatives, including telecommunications applications. The local NTCA member contributes 10% of the grant funding while the FRS contributes the other 90% of funds. The Foundation notes that this year was especially competitive with over 200 applications submitted and only 36 grant awardees.

The Putnam, Marshall, Stark County Probation District's 'Reaching Success through Expanded Technology for Putnam County Residents' was awarded $5,000 to, "provide critical technology and equipment to clients, enhance probation and treatment compliance, and expand digital inclusion programming." Two smart boards and stands will be purchased with the technology grant. McNabb Telephone Company located in McNabb, Illinois submitted the application on behalf of Putnam County. AOIC would like to thank McNabb Telephone Company for their dedication, commitment, and partnership.

Additionally, AOIC would also like to congratulate Marshall, Putnam, Stark County Probation District on their recent Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Adult Treatment Court Grant, "Addressing Need and Implementing Change in Rural Illinois: Adult Drug Court Serving Marshall, Putnam, and Stark Counties". This $900,000 grant will provide funding to establish an Adult Drug Court in these counties as well as provide funding for participant recovery and treatment services.

The Grants Unit in the Probation Services Division at AOIC was able to assist Marshall, Putnam, Stark County Probation District in securing these grants. "We are honored to be able to assist local Probation and Court Services Departments in rural Illinois. With these funds, probation officers will be better equipped to serve clients and improve probation outcomes in their counties," AOIC Grants Manager Lynn Moore said.