A new 37,000-square-foot facility that will house 911 dispatch services for 30 agencies in Lake County has officially been completed following more than a decade of planning.
Regional 911 consolidation partners and federal, state and local officials gathered on Friday to celebrate the completion of the Lake County Regional Operations and Communications (ROC) Facility, which they called a central hub that will strengthen 911 services and emergency response across the county.
The ROC is over 37,000 square feet and is located on the county government’s Libertyville campus.
The facility will house three agencies — LakeComm, the Lake County Emergency Management Agency (LCEMA) and the Joint Emergency Telephone System Board (JETSB).
LakeComm will serve as a consolidated Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for partnering agencies, municipalities and unincorporated areas of Lake County, covering more than 425,000 residents.
LakeComm will handle 911 calls for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services for 30 agencies.
The LCEMA and its emergency operations center coordinate emergency and disaster planning and response, while the JETSB receives 911 surcharge funds and provides operational oversight of the overall 911 system.
“The ROC stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when all levels of government work together with a common goal,” Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart said.
“It will provide our local first responders with state-of-the-art technology in a purpose-built facility. This will result in overall long-term cost savings, fewer service redundancies and ultimately save time, lives and property when minutes matter most,” Hart said.
LakeComm will be using the new computer software system which was rolled out for local law enforcement and fire departments last year.
The technology consolidated more than 15 systems into a single package.
“As a firefighter and EMT for 24 years, I’ve seen firsthand how even slight delays in response can impact lives,” said J. Kevin Hunter, JETSB of Lake County Chair and Lake County Board Member for District 5.
“Launching this new software system was a key part of 9-1-1 consolidation. It created a shared, standardized foundation that will improve response times, coordination and information sharing across all agencies,” Hunter said.
LCEMA will use the space to prepare and train Lake County and local communities for major storms, disasters and countywide emergencies.
During emergencies, LCEMA activates the emergency operations center, where partners from across the state and county, such as the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross, come to coordinate resources for people in need.
The ROC is designed to withstand severe weather events, including tornadoes and long-term power outages, county officials said.
It is Lake County Government’s first “net-zero” building, which will consume no more energy than is produced from renewable sources.
It is powered by more than 1,900 solar panels and is heated and cooled using a geothermal energy system of 56 wells located 400 feet below ground.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider assisted Lake County in securing $1 million from the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act for construction.
Additional funding sources include a $2 million grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, a $5 million commitment from the Lake County Emergency Telephone System Board, a $30 million Lake County General Obligation Bond approved by the Lake County Board and contributions from Lake County’s Capital Program and the American Rescue Plan Act.
“This day is about more than a building; it’s the fulfillment of a commitment to invest wisely in the safety and well-being of our residents,” Lake County Administrator Patrice Sutton said.
“The project’s completion stands as a testament to every contributor, beginning with the Lake County Board, whose collaborative approach was rooted in sound fiscal planning and long-term investment,” Sutton said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office was previously among the many public safety agencies to be a part of LakeComm.
Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg withdrew the sheriff’s office from the consolidation in November 2023 and then Waukegan also withdrew from the consolidation agreement a short time later.
Idleburg said he was not opposed to dispatch consolidation but said the plan appeared to be beneficial for smaller law enforcement and fire agencies.
“The presented plan is not at all ideal for a large organization, such as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, which is why I continue to have significant concerns,” the sheriff said.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the decision was made after an exhaustive cost-benefit analysis.
A “litany” of concerns and questions also went unanswered over recent years, Covelli said.
The sheriff’s office determined that they would be required to hire additional staff to take on responsibilities that are already being handled by their dispatch center.
“The increased costs, decreased levels of service, not receiving answers to important questions, and being asked to sign a multi-year intergovernmental agreement that did not outline operational and cost specifics, ultimately led Sheriff Idleburg to do what was in the best interest of the people we serve, and continue maintaining our current dispatch services,” Covelli said.