Center for Sponsored Research & Evaluation

The Center for Sponsored Research and Evaluation, overseen by Tracy Hahn, secures experts in the field to conduct research and evaluation of programs that can inform policy, support evidence-based practices, and guide decision-making. Staff review and select programs and other priority criminal justice-related topics viable for evaluation and further research. Researchers are selected through a competitive request for proposals process and are awarded federal grant subcontracts to conduct studies. Findings of the sponsored research are presented in a variety of publications and presentations, which are made available online. This process is highly collaborative, allowing ICJIA to also tap into the talents of other professionals in the research community in Illinois and nationally for the benefit of the state.

 Funding for sponsored research stems from an in-house agreement awarded to ICJIA and primarily supported with federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds.  Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are issued based on fund availability. The subject of the RFP is based on the need for research on priority topics or issues with the Illinois criminal justice system, as well as the need to assess and evaluate current programs operating in the state.  The RFP will allow us to support research conducted by experienced personnel that have significant expertise in the area of study. These sponsored projects are larger in scale and often require significant data collection, time and travel. By supporting these projects, we can make this level of research available without compromising in-house activities and projects and further support evidence-based practices and programming in Illinois.

All RFPs are developed in accordance with Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) established rules and procedures. The proposals submitted in response to an RFP will then be reviewed and assessed using the key criteria specified in the RFP and within the CMS rules and procedures. ICJIA will then designate one or more outside entities to carry out the project or evaluation and award a subcontract.

Interested vendors are required to register on the Illinois Procurement Bulletin website, www.purchase.state.il.us in order to download the RFP.  Registration is free and is required so that any changes or addendums to the RFP can be made available via the registrant’s e-mail address. Vendors may view basic information regarding the RFP without registering, but registration is required to download the full copy. The class code for ICJIA sponsored research and evaluation is listed as S380 Management; Consulting; & Public Relations (non-EDP) Services. Questions regarding the website may be sent to webmaster@purchase.state.il.us or by phone at 1-866-ILL-BUYS (1-866-455-2897).

Once a subcontract is awarded, project staff will monitor project activities. Monitoring will occur on an ongoing basis, with monthly fiscal and quarterly project summaries required. A final report or reports will also be required and findings will be discussed and presented to ICJIA staff by the external research or evaluation team.

The next RFP is currently under development with a planned release date in early 2012. Details regarding this RFP, when available, will be posted on this webpage and on the Illinois Procurement Bulletin website.

Recently sponsored projects include:

Evaluation of Multi-Disciplinary Teams in Illinois
University of Illinois at Springfield
May 2011 – April 2012
$96,203

Evaluation of Mental Health Courts in Illinois
Loyola University Chicago
October 2009 – June 2011
$75,000

A Systematic Evaluation of the Pulling Levers Strategy; Examining the Peoria Drug Market Intervention
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
December 2009 – November 2010
$109,658