When most people think of ILEAS, they usually think of the Law Enforcement support services that ILEAS provides to agencies across the state. For example, Car Plans, Special Teams, Mobile Field Force, and other Law Enforcement specific functions.

One other important area that ILEAS supports is Interoperable Communications through the Illinois Strategic Technology Reserve (STR), specifically supporting the UCP (Unified Command Post Vehicles) and the ITECS (Illinois Transportable Emergency Communications Systems).

• 16 UCP vehicles are a 40’ Command Post that provide workspace where needed at incidents & events both large and small. UCP vehicles have radio, satellite, and internet communications capabilities to quickly support the needs of incident commanders at the scene.
• 9 ITECS systems consist of a 32’ trailer, with a Ford F550 tow vehicle, that have a 50 foot tower plus large array of satellite, radio communications, cellular, telephone, and IT equipment. This allows them to provide robust emergency communications services anywhere normal communications is inadequate or non-existent.

The STR is funded primarily through various State and Federal Grants which are provided by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.  However, a great deal of effort, human resources and money come from the host agencies that manage each of these 15 vehicles and equipment.  ILEAS provides Grant Management services to the STR, making sure that grant funds are spent to the greatest benefit to the taxpayer, and that the funding is spent wisely to make sure the STR fields the most effective Communication platforms possible. ILEAS Communications Liaisons also provide technical and management support to the STR teams.  The ITECS and UCP teams are all hosted by local and county agencies around the state. There is one ITECS in each of the 8 IEMA regions plus one in Cook County. There are 13 UCP’s located around the state, plus three in Cook County.