Galesburg Reporter

In a Facebook post this week, state Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills) celebrated the groundbreaking for the Stark County Emergency Communications Center in Toulon.

"What a beautiful day it was to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Stark County Emergency Communications Center in Toulon!" he said in the post. "As the final Illinois county to implement 911 service, the new center, in collaboration with Peoria County, will feature radio system upgrades and emergency service for all Stark County residents. Thank you for the invitation to attend this milestone event!"

The Illinois State Police noted this effort is a result of the Illinois Emergency Telephone System Act, requiring all counties in Illinois to provide the new 911 service.

Stoller and other state leaders gathered to celebrate the event that is progressing thanks to a $2.4 million grant, a recent WMBD report said. It will be constructed near the Stark County Sheriff's Office.

KFVS reported southern Illinois counties received recognition for their 911 systems.

“This is an important day for the public safety in Stark County,” David Tuttle, chairperson for the Peoria County Emergency Telephone System Board, told WMBD.

Stark is the last county in the state of Illinois without its own 911 center, the WMBD report said. In July, the Joint Telephone System Board was approved for the $2.4 million grant through the State of Illinois.

“The safety and wellbeing of Illinoisans has always been — and will always be — my top priority,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a release. “That’s why we are transforming our emergency response system with modern tools like Next Generation. When there’s an emergency, there’s no time to waste — and Next Generation 911 will ensure that first responders like paramedics, firefighters, and police officers have the information they need to respond quickly and efficiently.”

Stoller was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2021, the General Assembly website said. His legislative experience includes serving on the Environment and Conservation Committee and the Higher Education Committee. He resides in Germantown Hills.