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SB 1360

ISP RADIO INTEROPERABILITY

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Balkema and 12 co-sponsors

Illinois SB 1360 strengthens statewide public-safety radio interoperability by expanding the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee’s authority, standards, and funding plan

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 1360

SB 1360 — "ISP Radio Interoperability" (Illinois) — Summary

Status: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 filed; re‑referred to Assignments. Effective date provided in bill: July 1, 2025.
Primary sponsor (introduced): Sen. Patrick J. Joyce. Companion/related procedural actions and amendment history documented through March–June 2025.

Main purpose

To strengthen and formalize statewide governance, technical standards, planning, and funding for public‑safety radio interoperability (land mobile radio — LMR) in Illinois by expanding the role and authorities of the Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) and requiring adoption of interoperability and operational standards and a sustainable funding plan.

Key provisions and changes

  • Defines "interoperability" (ability of public‑safety personnel, agencies, and levels of government to communicate as needed/authorized).
  • Designates the Director of the Illinois State Police (or designee) to chair the SIEC and clarifies the SIEC’s role to:
    • Oversee governance, interoperability, and LMR standards for Illinois’ land mobile radio system.
    • Collaborate with the Office of the Statewide 9‑1‑1 Interoperability Coordinator and the Homeland Security Advisory Council.
    • Adopt bylaws and create/oversee advisory boards and subcommittees (e.g., Governance Advisory Board, Statewide Interoperability Advisory Board, and a STARCOM21 Advisory Board). The SIEC may appoint advisors from the public‑safety communications community.
  • Membership and representation: requires at least one representative from specified entities (e.g., Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Rural Fire Protection Association, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, Illinois State Police, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Department of Public Health, Department of Innovation & Technology, Department of Military Affairs, and the Secretary of State Police or designee).
  • Deadlines and required actions:
    • No later than July 1, 2026 the SIEC must establish:
    • Technical standards to ensure LMR equipment interoperates statewide (compliance phased as funding allows).
    • Planning, training, and evaluation standards to enhance operational readiness.
    • Standards for unifying the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) statewide.
    • No later than July 1, 2026 the SIEC must develop and recommend a plan to sustainably fund radio infrastructure, radio equipment, and interoperability statewide.
    • Annual statutory review and legislative recommendations for improved interoperability (as amended).
  • Grants / rulemaking:
    • Adds an emergency‑rulemaking authorization (new Section 5‑45.62 to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act) allowing the Illinois State Police, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and Office of Homeland Security to adopt emergency rules to implement the Act’s changes and public‑safety radio interoperability grants quickly; the emergency provision sunsets (repealed) one year after the Act’s effective date.
  • Fiscal/implementation note: compliance with standards is explicitly tied to available funding (i.e., phased implementation). The bill authorizes use of appropriated funds consistent with SIEC standards.

Who is affected

  • State agencies: Illinois State Police (chairing/implementing), Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Office of Homeland Security, Office of the Statewide 9‑1‑1 Interoperability Coordinator, Department of Public Health, Department of Innovation & Technology, Department of Military Affairs, Secretary of State Police.
  • Local public‑safety agencies and personnel: police, fire, EMS, sheriffs, fire districts, and 9‑1‑1 entities.
  • STARCOM21 system stakeholders and vendors/manufacturers of LMR equipment and infrastructure.
  • Entities applying for or administering interoperability grants.

Potential impact

  • Operational: expected to improve statewide radio interoperability, planning, training, and alert/warning integration.
  • Financial: may require state and local investment for equipment and infrastructure upgrades; the bill prioritizes development of a sustainable funding plan and phases standard compliance as funding becomes available.
  • Regulatory: permits expedited emergency rulemaking to implement interoperability grants and standards.

Timeline / procedural notes

  • Effective date set in the bill: July 1, 2025.
  • Major implementation deadlines: July 1, 2026 for standards and funding plan.
  • Current procedural status (per provided record): Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 filed and the bill re‑referred to Assignments; multiple committee actions and amendment filings occurred during early 2025.

If you want, I can:
- Prepare a side‑by‑side comparison of the bill text versus current law (20 ILCS 2615/10),
- Extract the exact membership composition and appointment mechanics in table form, or
- Draft a short memo on likely fiscal implications for state and local budgets.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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