List/Grid Tag Archives: organizations

SPRINGFIELD – With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 just days away, Illinois’ homeland security officials today launched an initiative that will help shape the state’s homeland security preparedness and response policies into the next decade.  As part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to public safety and the state’s observance of National Preparedness Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) announced ‘Illinois Homeland Security Vision 2020,’ a statewide, grass-root effort to engage Illinois’ residents and organizations in development of the state’s strategy for dealing with current and emerging threats and risks and response to disasters. “Ten years after the tragic events of 9/11, Illinois’ homeland security program is recognized as one of the best in the nation, and we’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished thus far,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken, who also serves as the state’s Homeland Security Advisor.   “But the terrorist threat in ever-evolving and our program must continue to rise to meet those challenges.  Through the ‘Illinois Homeland Security Vision 2020’ initiative, we will engage the whole community in the development of an innovative homeland security strategy that will carry us through the remainder of this decade and beyond.” Beginning this fall, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will conduct a series of eight meetings across the state to gather input and ideas on homeland security issues from organizations and citizens.  In addition to more than 60 groups and organizations already involved in the state’s homeland security policy, such as fire services, law enforcement, emergency management and public health, IEMA will encourage participation from such areas as religious organizations, business leaders, individual citizens and others as part of the whole community preparedness.