Summit to bolster Illinois' preparedness efforts

Public health officials are gathering this week to brainstorm ways to strengthen Illinois' emergency preparedness efforts.

The state's public health chief, Dr. Damon Arnold, addresses the opening session Wednesday at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort.

Participants will be focusing on community collaboration in dealing with things like major floods, foodborne illnesses, pandemic flu and other disasters.

Speakers include airline Captain Al Haynes. He's the pilot who heroically crash-landed a disabled United jetliner in a Sioux City, Iowa cornfield 20 years ago. While 112 people died in that crash, 184 survived.

The preparedness summit ends Thursday.