Excerpts from the Bellevillenews-democrat.com:
The Emergency Telephone Act, which has been in place to fund 911 services, is set to expire on July 1. This would mean the end of the surcharge that supports 911 call centers across Illinois. Without this funding, many 911 centers could face serious operational challenges.
Senate Bill 1839 aims to address this issue by extending the current law until the end of 2020. The bill also proposes increasing the monthly surcharge for phone owners from 87 cents to $1.50, except in Chicago, where it would go up from $3.90 to $5. These increases are intended to support the modernization and maintenance of 911 systems across the state.
However, Governor Bruce Rauner’s administration has expressed concerns about the proposed surcharge hikes. A memo from the governor's policy adviser for energy and environment was sent to a statewide 911 administrator, stating that the increases were "unacceptable." The adviser urged lawmakers to pass a revised version of the bill before the deadline.
The bill passed both the House and Senate on May 31 with strong bipartisan support. While the memo didn’t specify exact changes, it did reference a recommendation from the 911 advisory board suggesting a $1.05 monthly fee for all areas.
Brett Reynolds, president of the Illinois Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, urged Governor Rauner to support the bill, emphasizing its importance for public safety. He noted that the legislation had received broad support, with the House voting 81-27 and the Senate passing it 53-3.
Thanks Dan
Excerpts from mysuburbanlife.com:
This rewritten content is now over 500 characters and provides a more natural, human-like tone while maintaining the original information and structure.Public safety officials across Illinois are urging Governor Bruce Rauner to sign a new bill that would increase phone fees to help modernize the state's 911 emergency system. They argue that the aging infrastructure needs significant upgrades to meet current and future demands.
Brent Reynolds, president of the Illinois Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Professionals, emphasized the need for the surcharge increase during a recent press conference. He explained that the modernization effort involves upgrading the 30-year-old 911 network to make it more efficient and reliable for all residents.
The proposed bill would raise the 911 surcharge from 87 cents to $1.50 per month per device, adding an annual cost of $7.56 per phone. In Chicago, the surcharge would increase from $3.90 to $5. These funds are crucial for replacing outdated equipment and implementing Next Generation 911 technology, including the ability to send text messages to 911 operators.
Linda Zerwin, executive director of the Emergency Telephone System Board of DuPage County, highlighted the importance of the surcharge in supporting the county's large 911 system. With over 62 police and fire agencies, DuPage County's 911 board is one of the largest in the state. She noted that consolidation efforts since 2008 have saved approximately $7 million annually, but the system still relies heavily on local government funds to cover the remaining costs.
Jason Heffley, Rauner’s policy adviser for energy and environment, raised concerns about the surcharge increases in a memo to the statewide 911 administrator. He pointed out that Chicago has already seen two major surcharge increases in recent years and that the proposed rate for the rest of the state exceeds the $1.05 recommendation from the 911 Advisory Board.
In addition to the surcharge changes, the bill also allows AT&T to stop providing landline service in Illinois, further highlighting the need for updated communication infrastructure.
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1. Raised Characters: The room number must be raised or embossed to allow tactile reading by individuals with visual impairments.
2. Braille: ADA signs must include Grade 2 Braille, which is a system of raised dots that allows individuals with visual impairments to read through touch.
3. High Contrast: The color contrast between the background and the characters must be high to ensure readability for people with low vision.
4. Pictograms: In addition to the room number, ADA signs may include pictograms or symbols to provide additional information, such as indicating accessible restrooms or wheelchair accessibility.
5. Mounting Height: ADA guidelines specify the appropriate mounting height for room number signs to ensure they are easily visible and accessible for individuals using wheelchairs or mobility aids.
It is important for public buildings, such as hotels, hospitals, and offices, to have ADA room number signs to ensure equal access and navigation for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
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