Joliet District 86 Awarded Grant For School Security Improvements: Will County

JOLIET, IL — Schools in Joliet District 86 are among nearly three dozen that will benefit from more than $120,000 in grant funds geared toward strengthening school safety.

The Will County School Safety Grant, which has been awarded to 33 middle and K-8 schools, will support the installation of main entrance reinforcements and improved visitor and attendance management systems, Will County officials said Tuesday.

Subscribe

“The County Board has been intentional in utilizing Cannabis Sales Tax dollars for strengthening local community safety and public health,” said Will County Executive Jennfer Bertino-Tarrant. “Schools throughout Will County have prioritized taking proactive steps to increase security and to ensure that students are safe in their care. This grant is another way the county is supporting our local school district with this goal.”

The security improvements will take place at schools in 18 Will County school districts. Of the 33 schools awarded grants, 19 schools are receiving funding to install main entrance security reinforcements that improve resistance to forced entry and ballistic threats. The remaining 14 schools will receive funding for enhanced visitor and attendance management systems, including modernized check-in and visitor badging systems.

The $129,777 in grant awards are funded by State of Illinois Cannabis Sales Tax Revenue received by the County and allocated by the Will County Board in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The grant was created to support multi-faceted strategies to enhance school safety, specifically at main entrances.

“It’s important for the Will County Board to fund initiatives that protect our students while they are learning in school,” said Will County Board Speaker Joe VanDuyne. “The money the board has allocated will reinforce security measures at the entrances to more than 30 schools across Will County. I’m glad to partner with our local school districts to strengthen security at the main doors to these safety zones for learning.”

The Will County Regional Office of Education (ROE) determined which school districts were eligible and established a $4,500 award ceiling allowable for each school pursuing a grant. Grant management was conducted by the County Executive Office, including technical assistance for school staff, overseeing the grant agreements, and ensuring fund disbursal.

“Every student deserves to walk into a school where they feel safe and ready to learn,” said Will County Regional Office of Education Superintendent Dr. Lisa Caparelli-Ruff. “Improving school safety has been a major focus of our office, and we’re proud to help bring resources directly to schools for upgrades that make a real difference every day. We’re grateful to the Will County Board for partnering with us and investing Cannabis Sales Tax dollars into this effort so more schools across Will County can strengthen safety for students, staff, and families.”

The main entrance security reinforcements will consist of a multi-layer security laminate installed in windows at main entrances designed to strengthen glass and offer more time for an emergency response during a security incident. Enhanced Visitor and Attendance Management Systems may include additional software for existing platforms aimed at managing attendance, events, badge printing, check-in/check-out capabilities, and emergency accountability.

The 18 school districts receiving grant funds also include Beecher CUSD 200U, Elwood CCSD 203, Fairmont School District 89, Frankfort School District 157-C, Joliet Public Schools District 86, Lockport School District 91, Manhattan School District 114, New Lenox School District 122, Plainfield School District 202, Reed-Custer School District, Richland School District 88, Rockdale School District 84, Summit Hill School District 161, Taft SD 90, Valley View School District, Wilco Area Career Center, Will County School District 92, and Wilmington CUSD 209U.

Schools receiving grant funds will be reimbursed for their improvements and are expected to complete their improvements by the end of the Will County fiscal year on Nov. 30.