Illinois plans program to prepare for emergencies

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois emergency management experts are asking the public's help to develop the state's strategy for dealing with emergencies and disasters.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has launched “Illinois Homeland Security Vision 2020.” The effort is aimed at developing the state's homeland security preparedness and response policies.

IEMA director and Illinois homeland security adviser Jonathon Monken says the “terrorist threat in ever-evolving” and the state's program must “continue to rise to meet those challenges.”

The program will include eight meetings across Illinois starting this fall. Participation also is encouraged from religious groups, businesses and individual citizens. Results of the meetings and citizen input will be compiled into a report and presented at a summit of Illinois policy leaders in August 2012.