SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police and the Office of the Statewide 911 Administrator announced a new upgrade to Illinois’ 911 network. The new statewide Next Generation 911 (NG911) network will be Internet-based to be more reliable, reduce response times, and provide greater accuracy in delivering calls to the proper responding agency. It will also provide more functionality, eventually allowing residents to text 911, send pictures or video to telecommunicators.
“This critical mission was given to the Illinois State Police because it is vital to public safety, and we are getting it done. A whole generation of people grew up learning the three numbers that would bring help. With NG911, we’ll have expanded functionality to provide emergency response for the generation who grew up with the Internet,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly.
The State’s goal is to achieve interconnectivity and interoperability throughout the state by implementing state-of-the art network and services that will serve all county, municipal, and regional PSAPs. The transition from the old telephone 911 services to an Internet-based NG911 offers options to resolve challenges to bringing new and emerging technologies to citizens of Illinois. Of paramount importance is the delivery of a universal, robust, and reliable 911 service and to provide each 911 caller with the same level of service for all residents and visitors of the state, regardless of location or device. NG911 offers great promise in accomplishing each of these goals while providing a platform to grow and expand as environmental factors change over time.
Work on the project is expected to begin in the last quarter of FY21.
