Emergency services across Illinois are getting a major technology upgrade.

The Illinois State Police announced all 169 of the state’s 9-1-1 call centers have now transitioned to what’s known as Next Generation 9-1-1. The new system replaces older, voice-based technology with a more modern, internet-based network designed to improve reliability and response times.

State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly says the move brings Illinois emergency communications into the 21st century. The transition began back in 2022, with the first system going live in Grundy County, and wrapped up earlier this month with the final upgrade completed in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook. Officials say the biggest improvement is how calls are routed. Instead of relying on cell tower locations, calls can now be directed based on a caller’s exact location — reducing the need for transfers and saving valuable time during emergencies.

The system also adds built-in backups. If a 9-1-1 center goes down due to severe weather or other issues, calls can automatically be rerouted to other centers across the state. Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator Alicia Atkinson says the upgrade is a major milestone, but work will continue to expand capabilities.

Those future improvements could include expanded Text-to-9-1-1 services and even the ability to share photos and video with emergency responders. Officials say the new system will make emergency services more efficient and more accessible for people across Illinois.