SPRINGFIELD—Today Illinois State Police (ISP) officials announced further progression in the agency’s multi-phase radio communications consolidation plans designed to unify technological resources and reduce ISP radio operating costs.

District 7 (East Moline) radio will tentatively consolidate into the District 1 (Sterling) communications center beginning September 1, 2015. The District 7 consolidation is the first of three districts in this phase. District 16 (Pecatonica) and District 17 (LaSalle) will also become part of a four-district communications center at Sterling.  Existing facilities are being utilized for this consolidation.  

The ISP is adding a third Telecommunications workstation at Sterling with improved functionality and inter-operability to handle additional communications needs at an estimated cost of $40,000. Staffing at the Sterling communications center is predicted to reach optimal levels following the final stage of the consolidation.  This will reduce long-term overtime costs.

The ISP began communication consolidations in 2012 by combining radio communications at District 13 (DuQuoin) for District 19 (Carmi), District 12 (Effingham) and District 22 (Ullin). The ISP’s final communications objective will consolidate 20 statewide communications centers into 6 centers located in Chicago, Springfield, Pontiac, Collinsville, DuQuoin and Sterling. The Collinsville, DuQuoin, Pontiac and Springfield consolidations are complete and have proven capable of handling ISP radio traffic from neighboring districts.

Impact negotiations between the ISP and AFSCME representatives were held yesterday where agreements were reached over reasonable relocation accommodations for affected employees.

The ISP is committed to providing public safety to the citizens of Illinois.  The phased consolidation plan illustrates the department’s commitment to fighting crime and keeping communities safe. ISP Communications centers are separate from local 911 emergency centers and will not have an impact on local emergency operations. Residents are reminded that ISP District Patrol Headquarters remain open for service.