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Connect and Protect: Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response Program

downloadThe Law Enforcement Behavioral Health Response Program provides funding to support law enforcement-behavioral health cross-system collaboration to improve public health and safety responses and outcomes for individuals with mental health disorders and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Eligible applicants include:

• City or township governments
• State governments
• County governments
• Public or state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Organizations with a different legal status (e.g., nonprofit, or for-profit mental health agencies) are eligible to apply only if they also have been designated as a state agency or unit of local government to provide mental health services

The award amount is up to $550,000 and the performance period would commence on 10/1/2022 for a duration of 36 months. This solicitation requires a 20% cash and/or in-kind match in years one and two, and a 40% cash and/or in-kind match in year three. Federal funds
awarded under this solicitation may not cover more than 80% of the funded project’s total costs in years 1 and 2, and 60% of the funded project’s total costs in year three.

The application and deadline is a two-step process:

  1. Complete a grants.gov application by Friday, May 27, 2022
  2. Complete the full application justgrants.gov by Wednesday, June 1, 2022

 Contact Elizabeth Scott, JKC Grant Research Specialist, for more information or with any questions at (708) 862-2262 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Upcoming CDBG and HOME Programs

CDBG LogoWill County is accepting grant applications for their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Consortium funds. Applications are reviewed and ranked based on the criteria in the applications and the ability to meet the goals identified in the 2022-2024 Consolidated Plan. All CDBG project applications must meet a national objective of benefiting low/moderate income residents.

Examples of CDBG funds for local units of government may be used for the following:
• Acquisition of real property
• Relocation and demolition
• Rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures
• Construction of public facilities and improvements, such as water and sewer facilities, streets, neighborhood centers, and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes
• Public Services, within certain limits
• Activities relating to energy conservation and renewable energy resources
• Provision of assistance to profit-motivated businesses to carry out economic development and job creation/retention activities

The following types of activities are ineligible:
• Acquisition, construction, or reconstruction of buildings for the general conduct of government
• Political activities
• Certain income payments

*CDBG HOME projects within the Village limits are now eligible for funding. Funds may be used for acquisition, rehab and construction of affordable housing and require a 25% match.
*Emergency Solutions grant to address homelessness and housing needs, as well as at risk homeless outreach may be acceptable projects. 

CDBG Public Service funds are limited, and projects will be ranked and awarded based upon a competitive application process. The deadline is April 18, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. Contact Elizabeth Scott, JKC Grant Research Specialist, for more information or with any questions at (708) 862-2262 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

JKC to Provide 'Invest in Cook' and CDBG Grants Assistance

connecting to cook county 16x9Calumet City/Mokena, IL - John Kasperek Co., Inc. (JKC) is available to assist clients with the open application period for the Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH) Invest in Cook grant program. Invest in Cook grants are designed to assist local governments and agency partners with furthering their transportation projects by covering a portion of the cost of planning and feasibility studies, engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction associated with transportation infrastructure improvements. This includes bridge improvements, freight projects, bicycle and pedestrian facility projects, traffic flow improvement projects, and improving transit accessibility.

Aside from local governments, eligible applicants include regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource or public land agencies as well as any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for transportation or recreational trails within Cook County. Private for-profit or nonprofit organizations can submit project proposals as a lead applicant, but they are required to partner with a public sponsor that meets the above criteria. Lead applicants are limited to one single project application.

Another grant JKC is assisting the Chicago Southland community with is the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). This grant program supports critical community development needs in income-eligible areas of suburban Cook. Some allowable projects include:

  • Infrastructure - Improvements including but not limited to construction or installation of streets, curbs, and water/sewer lines.
  • Public Facilities - Improvements including but not limited to recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds, and facilities for persons with special needs. Examples of eligible costs include energy efficiency improvements, and disabled accessibility improvements.
  • Demolition - Activities limited to demolition of vacant buildings including necessary removal of demolition debris.

Applicants are limited to one single project application. Funding request cap for Capital Improvement projects is $400,000. Non-profit agencies applying for capital improvement projects are capped at $200,000. 

The deadline for both grants is Wednesday, March 16th, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. Contact Elizabeth Scott, JKC Grant Research Specialist, for more information or with any questions at (708) 862-2262 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

John Kasperek Co., Inc. Welcomes Katie Marr, CPA, to the Firm

Katie Marr 2013CALUMET CITY, IL – John Kasperek Co., Inc. (JKC), a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm in Calumet City, Illinois, announces the addition of Katie Marr, CPA, to the team. Marr, a resident of Griffith, IN, will join JKC as a Senior Associate on April 5th, primarily performing audit and consulting engagements for local governmental clients.

Marr earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. She brings 14 years of experience in the field, most recently serving as an Internal Auditor for Kemper Corporation in Chicago where she lead audits encompassing operational, financial, IT, and other risks.

“I am excited to further my work in public accounting with a talented firm that is so invested in the local community,” said Marr. “John Kasperek Company has a proven record of excellence with a client-focused approach.”

Among her extensive previous experience, she conducted all elements of audits for governmental entities including counties, cities and school districts with Baker Tilly, US LLP.

“We look forward to utilizing Katie’s expertise to help our clients and the company advance and grow in the future,” said Managing Partner John Kasperek, Jr.  “She is a great addition to our senior staff, and we are all excited for her to join the team.”

Kasperek said the addition of Marr is a part of the firm’s strategic plans for growth. Another key position to be filled is that of Associate, a job JKC recently posted online: kasperekcpa.com/associate. For more information, visit kasperekcpa.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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John Kasperek Co., Inc. was founded in 1989 to serve the financial needs of the Chicago Southland and Northwest Indiana area. Led by accomplished governmental consulting expert - founder and managing partner John Kasperek, Jr., CPA – the firm is dedicated to providing customized services to local units of government, nonprofit organizations, corporations and individuals at an affordable rate. The staff’s unique expertise is rooted in extensive experience through its municipal and educational auditing and consulting engagements.