The state of Illinois has identified interoperable communications as their highest priority to be able to respond to large-scale emergencies. In September 2014, the state published their Illinois Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan http://iema.illinois.gov/iema/scrip/scip.pdf, (SCIP), a three to five year statewide plan to improve interoperable and emergency communications.
According to SCIP, the core interoperable communications project developed in the State is the SC21 platform linking state government to county, municipal agencies, and to statewide response teams. The SC21 platform operates as the command and control resource for all inbound units assigned to a disaster or mutual aid response as well as for day-to-day operations for many jurisdictions.
All hospitals with emergency departments within the state have received Medical Emergency Response Communications of Illinois (MERCI) radios. Plus all public safety agencies including public health agencies have received VHF control stations with radios capable of accessing the Illinois Radio Emergency Assistance Channel (IREACH). So far, the state has deployed over 900 Emergency Management Network (EMnet) terminals with public safety agencies and notification centers throughout the state.
The state has also completed the deployment of regional-based transportable communications trailers to provide a strategic technology reserve to ensure communication among public safety agencies at the site of a major event.
For data-based communications, Illinois subscribes to a Motorola Radio Data Link access Procedure (RD-LAP) based mobile data platform as well as a Cellular Digital Packet Data based mobile data network that uses commercial services such as Verizon Wireless. Both systems allow law enforcement agencies to access database applications from the field.