Letter Policy

Letters Policy

 

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Letters Archives for 2017-06

Letter to the Editor from Shelby County Sheriff Don Koonce

Letter to the Editor

Posted June 6, 2017

Dear Editor:

9-1-1 is the backbone of public safety and Illinois' back is breaking.

On behalf of the Sheriffs, the Chiefs of Police, and all the man and women of public safety in Illinois, we encourage Governor Raunder to approve SB 1839.  Without that approval, the system will be unfunded at the close of business June 30th, 2017.  It's unthinkable that someone in Illinois might call 9-1-1 after June 30th and nobody would be there to take the emergency call.

Legislation passed in 2015 requires the consolidation of 9-1-1 systems, and upgrading technology to help our telecommunicators deliver the most professional and expedited service to our communities.  Our emergency dispatch centers are required to implement location services, receive text messages and automatic crash alerts within the next 3 years.  None of this comes without a cost and that cost spread across all users is the fairest and most efficient model for delivery.

The goal is to develop a fully-funcational 9-1-1 system that meets the deamdns of ever-changing telecommunications technology in a digital world, while being accessible anytime, anywhere, from any device in Illinois.  Providing 9-1-1 services for all members of our community simply cannot be done by keeping old, costly and failing technology in place.

We firmly believe the proposed revenue provided in SB1839 for 9-1-1 allows for much-needed upgrades to outdated, flawed and ineffective technology--including landline phone services using copper wire--in 9-1-1 centers statewide.  The surcharge increase also addresses the rising cost of salaries, technology and resources required to effectively deliver 9-1-1 services across Illinois.

The time is now for Illinois to move forward, not backward, in protecting the citizens we all serve.

 

Don Koonce, Sheriff

Shelby County

Shelbyville, IL   62565

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