Chicago gets federal aid for police

  

July 28, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- The Obama administration is sending $1 billion in aid to several cities, including Chicago, to keep police officers on the beat during this economic downturn.

Vice president Joe Biden and attorney general Eric Holder announced the grant awards Tuesday morning in Philadelphia.

Chicago will get more than $13 million to be used toward creating and/or preserving 50 police officer positions.

Eleven suburbs in the area are also receiving grant money. In northwest Indiana, Gary is receiving more than $2 million for 11 jobs.

Five other northwest Indiana communities are also getting grants.

"These grants provide 100 percent of each officer's salary and benefits for three full years, on top of that, police departments receiving the grants are required to retain the officers positions for a fourth year," Holder said.

Some major cities will not be getting grant money including New York, Houston, Seattle and Pittsburgh.

The Justice Department has decided other parts of the country need the money more.

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