Public safety professionals urge Illinois lawmakers to raise 9‑1‑1 surcharge to match Chicago

A group of public safety professionals notified Lee County officials on Thursday that they plan to press state legislators to raise the statewide 9‑1‑1 surcharge to better fund emergency call centers.

A presenter identified as a public safety professional told the finance committee she and colleagues met legislators April 29 in Springfield and are preparing a public campaign. "We have not had an increase since 02/2017," the speaker said, and described Chicago’s surcharge as higher than what most counties receive. "We are currently, anybody outside of Chicago in the state of Illinois is a dollar 50," she said.

The speaker said the proposed change would move non‑Chicago surcharge rates toward parity with Chicago (which the presenter described as a $5 total surcharge made up of a base plus a $2.50 add‑on). She said some of the current $1.50 on phone bills is retained for state administrative costs and that the remainder is distributed to emergency call centers; the professional said an increase could reduce the need for local law enforcement or other agencies to absorb 9‑1‑1 operating costs.

Committee members thanked the presenters and accepted the briefing as informational; no board action was requested. The presenter said funding likely will be pursued in the fall legislative session and that the group will reach out to county officials for support when formal legislation is introduced.

What happens next: the public safety group intends to lobby local legislators and may request support from county officials later in the year.