DRUG UNIT LOSING OFFICER BECAUSE OF FUNDING

The Multi-County Narcotics Enforcement Group will lose an undercover
officer from the Morton Police Department in June because of funding cuts.

MEG units are funded by the Edward Byrne Memorial Grant federal fund,
which in recent years has been the subject of proposed cuts by the
federal government, MEG Director Larry Hawkins said in a news release
Friday. Next year, Illinois' funding could be cut by more than 50
percent and possibly eliminated in 2008.

"There are some units across the state that may have to close their
doors," Hawkins said in a phone interview. "We could lose three
agents without the funds. We won't be able to operate as effectively
as we do at this point."

The Byrne Grant funds cover officers' salaries and equipment. Those
officers employed under the grant are from the Galesburg, East Peoria
and Morton police departments. On June 30, the Morton officer's
position will be eliminated because of the cuts, Hawkins said.

Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy, who sits on the MEG policy board,
said the loss of funds would have a negative effect on the number of
cases the MEG unit makes, and "we need to try to do everything we
can" to make sure MEG officers and units are not lost.

"The MEG unit does outstanding work in central Illinois," McCoy said.
"It's vital to us here. Instead of losing agents, we need to have
more agents to help curb drug sales and use."