From TimesWeekly.com:
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Excerpts from recent reports highlight the ongoing challenge facing Will County as it grapples with the task of consolidating its six 911 dispatch centers into just three by next July. The details surrounding the locations, funding, and scope of these new centers remain largely unresolved. According to Steve Rauter, the executive director of WESCOM and chair of the Will County Emergency Telephone System 9-1-1 Board's long-term planning committee, there are only two concrete requirements:
First, a formal plan must be submitted to the state by July 2016. Second, the implementation and completion of this plan must occur by July 2017. Failure to comply could result in the state withholding funds allocated through carrier fees, as emphasized by Rauter. "This law is serious," he stated. "The Illinois State Police are drafting enforcement guidelines, and if we don't meet these standards, our funding will dry up."
Currently, the largest dispatch center in Will County is located in Joliet, handling both police and fire calls for city residents. WESCOM, based in Plainfield, serves 19 municipalities, including Bolingbrook and Wilmington. Other centers are spread across Romeoville, Crete, Frankfort (serving the Lincoln-Way area), and Will County itself, which primarily handles unincorporated areas and lacks fire dispatch capabilities.
While it seems unlikely that Joliet or WESCOM will undergo significant changes in the immediate future, discussions are set to intensify this month, according to Will County Undersheriff Bob Contro. One potential option involves integrating a new dispatch center into the planned sheriff's office building on Laraway Road, slated for construction next year. However, timing remains critical as the design phase begins soon.
The General Assembly passed the consolidation mandate earlier this year, aiming to decrease response times by reducing the number of dispatch hubs statewide. Transferring calls between centers can cost valuable seconds during emergencies. Ultimately, the goal is a fully integrated statewide system. To achieve this, the state plans to hire a consultant, though financial constraints pose challenges since Illinois has redirected 911 funds to address budget shortfalls.
Uncertainty persists regarding state grants for counties like Will, especially since Illinois must also establish 911 services in nine counties lacking such infrastructure. Once the governor-appointed oversight board finalizes requirements, decisions will become clearer. If Joliet and WESCOM are selected as two of the three centers, the third will serve the remaining portions of the county, ideally becoming part of the proposed law enforcement campus. Alternatively, Will County might opt out entirely, leaving operations to an external center.
Beyond logistics, numerous variables need resolution, such as service areas, equipment needs, and cost-sharing models. Traditionally, costs align with call volumes, with smaller towns contributing less. Yet, fairness arises when considering whether communities requiring new centers should shoulder higher expenses compared to those already supporting WESCOM.
Stay tuned for further updates as discussions progress. For previous coverage on Will County's 911 challenges, click [here] and [here].
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This update reflects ongoing developments in Will County's efforts to modernize its emergency response framework while addressing fiscal and operational complexities.
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