Illinois officials say all 169 emergency call centers across the state have now transitioned to Next Generation 911, marking a major overhaul of how emergency calls are handled. The system replaces older voice-based networks with a secure, internet-based platform designed for faster and more accurate response. State Police Director Brendan Kelly says the upgrade reflects years of coordination between local agencies and private partners, with the final system going live earlier this month. The transition began back in 2022.
The new system allows calls to be routed based on a caller’s exact location instead of the nearest cell tower, cutting down on delays. It also adds backup capabilities so calls can be rerouted during disasters and expands access to Text-to-911, with future plans to support photos and video during emergencies.
Ed launched his radio career in 1975 and has spent more than five decades in the broadcasting industry. During that time, he has served in a wide range of roles including Air Personality, News Director, Sales Manager, Operations Manager, and General Manager at numerous radio stations in various markets across the country.
Beyond on-air and management responsibilities, Ed has also worked extensively on the technical side of broadcasting. His background includes RF engineering and information technology, with particular experience configuring digital automation systems and remote voice-tracking platforms used by stations across the country.
Ed was also among a select group of industry professionals invited by Google to its California headquarters following the company’s acquisition of Scott Studios. He was one of just 12 broadcasters nationwide chosen to participate in discussions and provide input during the design and rollout of Google’s digital broadcast automation platform.
Although the majority of Ed’s career—spanning roughly four decades—was rooted in music radio, he transitioned into news and information programming in 2012. He says the move into spoken-word broadcasting was a natural evolution after decades of experience in multiple areas of the industry.
