Illinois has completed a major update to its 911 emergency services, with all 169 Public Safety Answering Points statewide now operating on Next Generation 911, or NG911. This new technology replaces the traditional voice-based system with a secure, IP-based network, offering more accurate call routing based on a caller’s exact location. The upgrade enhances reliability, allowing calls to be rerouted in case of local disruptions, and supports expanded features like Text-to-911. Officials say the transition, which began in Grundy County in 2022 and finished in Northbrook in 2026, marks a significant step forward in emergency response capabilities across Illinois.
“This milestone reflects years of coordinated work by the ISP Division of Statewide 911, PSAPs, Emergency Telephone System Boards (ETSBs), local and regional stakeholders, and public and private partners,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Illinois has moved into the 21st century for 911 communication offering more efficient emergency services.”
“This accomplishment belongs first and foremost to the PSAPs and their ETSBs who did the day-to-day work to prepare, test, train, and transition, while continuing to answer 911 calls every hour of every day,” said Illinois Statewide 911 Administrator Alicia Atkinson. “It also reflects strong public-private partnership and coordination among local, regional, and statewide teams, including the ISP Division of Statewide 911, which supported readiness, testing, and implementation. While this is a major milestone worth celebrating, the work continues as we build on this foundation to strengthen service reliability and NG911 capabilities statewide.”
“We’re dedicated to providing Illinois with reliable, modern emergency communications service,” said AT&T Illinois President Eileen Mitchell. “We’re honored to support the state’s public safety professionals and the communities they protect.”