Rock Island Today

Legislation that would classify emergency dispatchers as first responders was moving its way through the state Senate committee chain as the latest legislative session ended.

Aside from a new designation for emergency dispatchers, Senate Bill 3127 – co-sponsored by Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia) and Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Marion) – also would reclassify a host of other positions.

The General Assembly’s website showed that SB 3127 passed the Licensed Activities Committee and was slated for a third reading on Feb. 16.

Anderson said in a press release that he empathizes with the state’s dispatchers.

“As a fireman, I not only understand the stress dispatchers go through, but we rely on them a lot during emergency calls for support and vital information,” the senator, who serves in the Moline Fire Department, said. “This bill is a common sense proposal and something I have been working on for several years now.”

According to the release, the idea for the bill came from constituents in Anderson’s and Swanson’s respective districts.

“Dispatchers pick up the phone when people experience the worst moments of their lives,” Swanson said. “They are literally the first responders to trauma and we should support them in recovering from the life-altering trauma they shoulder as part of their important public service.”

One Chicagoland dispatcher recalled to Chicago City Wire late last year how several police officers confided in him how a staff shortage had them scared.

Keith Thornton Jr. said in a Facebook live video he posted on Dec. 24 he and his fellow dispatchers were “screwed” by the situation, which he blamed on Chicago’s  mayor, Lori Lightfoot (D).

“They're tired of this nonsense and they have no backing, and they're scared of being out there by themselves working . . . when you call 911, you're not getting a quick response.”

If SB 3127 passes the Senate, it will head to the House.