GOV. BLAGOJEVICH ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE PRODUCT GRANT TO BIR IN SUPPORT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS

Innovative Product Grants Will Help Create New Jobs and Advance the Production of Groundbreaking New Technology

CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced Opportunity Returns funding to BIR to increase commercialization efforts and enhance homeland security product offerings‚ helping to create new jobs over the next two years. This funding is being provided through the Innovative Product Grant (IPG) Program administered by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Homeland Security Market Development (HSMD) bureau. IPG is the nation’s first state-funded grant program focused on developing products to meet homeland security needs.   

“The key to advancing Illinois in the global economy is to encourage innovation through investment and supporting the development of new and existing technologies that will create a safer‚ cleaner‚ healthier and more efficient world. The investments in these two emerging companies demonstrate our continued commitment to help Illinois businesses meet the ongoing challenges in the homeland security industry and create high-paying‚ high-tech jobs‚” Gov. Blagojevich said.

Bio-Imaging Research (BIR)‚ a Lincolnshire-based developer and manufacturer of specialized imaging systems for medical‚ industrial and security users.  BIR will use the IPG award to create new jobs and accelerate technical enhancements and establish additional production capacity for its IntellX™ product‚ a high-energy x-ray scanning system currently being used by the US Department of Homeland Security‚ Customs and Inspections Service. IntellX uses a high-energy x-ray source with a BIR proprietary detection system to create a photo like image of a container’s contents‚ without any need to open the container.

“We are pleased to participate in Gov. Blagojevich’s IPG program and look forward to helping the State of Illinois become the top supplier of products for the homeland security market.  It is programs like the IPG that are helping to position Illinois as an environment focused on being at the leading edge of scientific innovation and technology development‚” BIR General Manager‚ Security Division‚ Kevin Igielski said.

“In order to continue boosting the economy‚ we must help our growing companies identify new markets and opportunities to continue advancing technologies and turning them into successful products in the marketplace.  Gov. Blagojevich and I are committed to making investments like these that help make us secure and create more good jobs‚” State Senator Terry Link (D-Lake Bluff) said.

“Illinois continues to extend its leadership position in the homeland security industry‚ in large part because of Gov. Blagojevich’s commitment to helping companies meet the ongoing challenges and opportunities within this key sector. This investment in these tech-based firms is another example of our efforts to support innovation that will result in more good jobs‚” State Rep. Kathleen Ryg (D-Vernon Hills) said.