Innovative Grant Establishes the Homeland Security Research Program at Western Illinois University and Builds a New Homeland Security Partnership
CHICAGO - Continuing his ongoing efforts to make Illinois the center for homeland security innovation, investment and production, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced $60,000 in funding for the Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) at Western Illinois University (WIU) to launch an interactive, live homeland security company database and central source of information, market research and analysis on homeland security technologies, products and services. The funding is being provided through Gov. Blagojevich’s Innovative Product Grant (IPG) Program administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Homeland Security Market Development (HSMD) bureau. The database was developed through the formation of the Illinois Homeland Security Network (ILHSN), a partnership between HSMD, HSRP, the Homeland Security Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (HSIEC) at Northwestern University and the Homeland Security Procurement Technical Assistance Center (HSPTAC) at the College of DuPage. ILHSN was formed through existing homeland security networks and a strategic partnership between HSMD’s established centers and programs to solidify Illinois’ leadership role in the homeland security industry. IPG is the nation’s first state-funded grant program for homeland security product commercialization, improvement and production.
“We are committed to making Illinois the center for homeland security innovation, investment and production by integrating the resources of our existing homeland security networks and maximizing our public and private resources. The Network and its database will increase opportunities for Illinois’ businesses to collaborate with firms and generate innovative products, which will increase the demand for Illinois-based homeland security technologies and companies and create better jobs for more people,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The ILHSN company database, available at www.ilhomelandsecuritynetwork.org, serves as a resource for prospective purchasers by providing detailed company, product and service information, including the specific homeland security challenges that the company’s product or service can prevent or alleviate. The database serves as single point of contact for up-to-date homeland security industry information and is dedicated to promoting the development of Illinois-based homeland security solutions by developing, testing and implementing new security concepts, procedures, technologies and services with applications in both the public and private sectors.
Additional functions of the ILHSN include staging a series of homeland security business development forums throughout Illinois to identify market opportunities to grow and support businesses in the homeland security industry, generate cross-sector social networks and craft best practices for the industry. The first ILHSN event, Intelligence Sharing & Analysis: Public-Private Homeland Security Solutions, was held on October 25th at WIU’s Quad Cities campus. Approximately 85 academic, law enforcement and security professionals attended the event to discuss information sharing between the public and private sectors in the event of a natural disaster or national security threat.
“The goal of the database is to attract attention and fuel further demand for Illinois-based homeland security technologies and companies,” said HSRP Director Dean Alexander. “Thanks to Gov. Blagojevich’s support, we are excited to offer this incredible tool and make it possible for homeland security users to have Illinois homeland security industry at their fingertips.”
“Gov. Blagojevich and I will continue making these kinds of investments that are going to open more markets for Illinois homeland security companies and create good new jobs. By forming partnerships that are paying important economic dividends, the homeland security industry will continue growing across the state,” State Senator John Sullivan (D-Rushville) said.
“Gov. Blagojevich is helping to increase the state’s capacity as a center of homeland security research and product development by pooling the state’s homeland security resources into the establishment of this new innovative partnership. The company database will provide a guide to homeland security market activities for businesses and the general public, and further complement and enhance the work of the Illinois Homeland Security Network to advance the industry and create more high-tech, high-paying Illinois jobs,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
HSMD is focused on supporting businesses engaged in the homeland security industry with investment tools designed to help existing Illinois companies expand operations and utilize available state and federal programs, services and procurement opportunities relevant to homeland security. HSMD has established technical, educational and research partnerships with Illinois colleges and universities, and partnered to create the nation’s most extensive business mutual aid system. HSMD has conducted series of homeland security market forums across Illinois that have provided an important venue to nurture various industries, including food safety and security, information technology and electronic communications, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology and public health. For more information on HSMD and IPG, visit www.hsmd.illinois.gov.
ILHSN works across disciplines to bring research funds, companies and pilot projects to Illinois by integrating homeland security-related innovation and commercialization into the development, testing, and implementation of new security concepts, procedures, technologies and services within Illinois. ILHSN aims to position Illinois as the national test bed by promoting Illinois-based solutions for the homeland security industry and forming a common constituency of support to attract R&D grants and resources from federal, state and private entities. For more information on ILHSN and to locate homeland security companies in ILHSN database, visit www.ilhomelandsecuritynetwork.org.
HSRP is located within WIU’s Department of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, internationally known for academic excellence and ranks among the top law enforcement programs nationally. More than 1,800 undergraduate and 200 graduate students pursue degrees through the Department’s Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degree in law enforcement and justice administration, which offers students theoretical, administrative and practical knowledge and research skills. HSRP undertakes various activities, including: research relating to homeland security companies, the publication of homeland security-related analyses, media outreach and an internship program creation of a Certificate and Minor in Homeland Security at WIU.
For more information, contact HSRP Director Dean Alexander @ 309-298-2120 or dc-alexander@wiu.edu. HSIEC assists entrepreneurs and high-growth, small businesses with the development and sales of products and services that improve homeland security and defense and impact dual-benefit commercial industries by providing one-on-one business consulting, market intelligence and access to capital resources. HSIEC devotes special attention to building resilient transportation systems, logistics networks, and critical infrastructure that will safeguard the United States, its people, and its economy. HSIEC delivers specialized business development assistance in homeland security as part of Gov. Blagojevich’s Illinois Entrepreneurship Network through a joint effort between Northwestern University and HSMD.
HSPTAC offers specialized business development services to companies seeking to conduct business with the public sector at the federal, state or local level. HSPTAC is focused exclusively on homeland security products and services, which provide your business with the extra attention you need to do business in this important and fast changing industry. For more information, contact HSPTAC Director Rita Hatcher-Haake @ 630-942-2616 or hsptac@cod.edu.