(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Plans to consolidate 911 operations in north suburban Lake County are moving forward, even though the sheriff has raised some concerns.
The county board's law and judicial committee has approved intergovernmental agreements to create LakeComm, the agency that would oversee the consolidation of 911 services.
County Administrator Patrice Sutton says there are several advantages to combining 911 centers.
“Consolidating the investments in facilities, equipment and systems into fewer centers will over time result in more efficient and cost effective financial outcomes for the system as a whole,” Sutton said.
Other benefits according to Sutton, include the ability to handle more incidents because of improved resources. Additionally, more staff to handle surges or overlapping calls.
The consolidation does not include the office of Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg, who says he's concerned about the intergovernmental agreements that create the agency that would run the combined 911 operations.
“This is not in the best interest of this county or the best interest of public safety for the county,” Idleburg said.
“And as the sheriff of the county and the supervisor of public safety, I am tasked with the sole responsibility of public safety for this county. And I'm saying that I have some concerns moving forward.”
Idleburg says he is willing to discuss his concerns and how to address them.
A committee of the Lake County Board has approved the consolidation plan, which the full board is expected to vote on at its meeting on June 11.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok