Gov. Rauner names Illinois' 1st statewide 911 administrator

The director of an emergency dispatch system in Chicago's northwest suburbs has been named to lead Illinois' new statewide 911 system.

Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday named Cindy Barbera-Brelle to serve as Illinois' first statewide 911 administrator.

In a news release, the governor's office says Barbera-Brelle will oversee the transition of 911 services from the Illinois Commerce Commission to the Illinois State Police. She'll also supervise the expansion of 911 to 11 rural counties that have not had it.

Barbera-Brelle currently works as executive director of the Northwest Central Dispatch System, which serves 11 suburban Cook County communities.

Lawmakers approved a measure last year that added an 87-cent surcharge to cellphone bills to help cover the cost of the statewide 911 system.

Barbera-Brelle will make $125,000 annually.

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