Gov. Blagojevich announces Mayor Doug Scott to bring Rockford perspective to Homeland Security panel

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich today said he is honored that Rockford Mayor Doug Scott has joined the Elected Officials Working Group for Homeland Security.  The Governor created the working group recently to ensure municipal leaders such as Scott have a strong voice in the state's homeland security and disaster planning efforts.

 

"As mayor of the second largest city in Illinois, Mayor Scott brings with him to the working group an important perspective of how Illinois' comprehensive homeland security strategy affects large municipalities in the state," Gov. Blagojevich said.  "Preparing for potential terrorism takes cooperation and interaction between local, state and federal entities, and the Elected Officials Working Group for Homeland Security will help us further strengthen the vital lines of communication between the Task Force and local leaders."

 

The Elected Officials Working Group for Homeland Security has three main goals.  First, the group will help the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF) get direct input from local leaders on vital issues like homeland security funding and disaster planning.  Second, the group will allow the ITTF to provide up-to-the-minute information to municipal leaders about homeland security efforts in Illinois.  And third, the Elected Officials Working Group will help the ITTF organize efforts to better prepare and train municipal leaders for how to effectively deal with critical incidents in their communities throughout the state.

 

Mayor Scott said he is pleased to be working with other mayors in the group and believes it will improve communications between the ITTF and local elected officials.   

 

"Illinois is really a leader in homeland security planning and as mayors, it's important that we know what is being done in our areas," Mayor Scott said.  "But perhaps even more important is what we can provide to the Task Force - firsthand information about the concerns, needs and available resources in our communities."