WASHINGTON-Illinois has joined the list of states that have raided their enhanced 911 funds to balance their budgets, said the National Emergency Number Association.
“In attempt to balance the state budget, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojveich (D) is putting lives at risk. On June 30, Illinois closed the 2004 fiscal year with a $1,325,480 diversion from its state wireless E911 fund,” said NENA in a statement released Monday . “Without access to these funds, local 911 systems may not be able to instantly identify the location of a wireless caller.”
Illinois collects a 75-cent surcharge on all wireless phone bills. “Even though wireless subscribers think the ‘911 surcharge’ on their monthly bill is going to improve their safety, the money is being siphoned off to pay for something else,” said NENA.
Currently 24 counties in Illinois are capable of receiving location information for wireless 911 calls-known as Phase II. E911 service is being deployed in two phases. Phase I required carriers to supply PSAPs with a callback number and cell-site location information. The deadline was April 1, 1998. Phase II requires more precise location information. It was supposed to be available in some areas by Oct. 1, 2001, but the FCC waived that requirement, giving each nationwide carrier a different implementation schedule. All carriers and all markets must be deployed by 2006, however. In Phase II deployments, handset-based solutions must be able to locate the caller within 50 meters 67 percent of the time and within 150 meters 95 percent of the time. Network-based solutions must be able to locate the caller within 100 meters 67 percent of the time and within 300 meters 95 percent of the time.
The House of Representatives has passed a bill that would authorize $100 million for PSAP E911 deployment. The Senate Commerce Committee has passed a bill that would authorize $500 million. The Senate bill is still waiting for action on the Senate floor.
