STARCOM21 is the wireless voice radio system being used statewide by the Illinois State Police and other agencies and offers the possibility of interoperability among all of the public safety disciplines.
As part of its statewide interoperable communications strategy, starting in 2004, the Illinois Terrorism Task Force (ITTF) offered STARCOM21 (800 MHz) radios to every police, fire, emergency management and public health agency, as well as dispatch centers throughout the state.
Included with these radios was a five year period of basic access to the STARCOM21 network which was provided by ITTF at no cost to local agencies and departments. ITTF was able to pay those user fees for up to 12 years.
However, as of April 15, 2016, this period will come to an end and ITTF will no longer be covering the access fees for ITTF Radios to the STARCOM21 Network.
This excludes Statewide Mobile Response Teams and Statewide Radio Caches that will continue to be funded.
It also excludes approximately 2 radios per county, including some PSAP/Dispatch agencies and one County EMA radio that will continue to be funded.
Your Agency's Basic Options Are:
- Return the Radio
- Take Ownership of Radio and pay an Access Fee
For agencies that possess a STARCOM21 radio, you should have received an email with further instructions - including access to a customized web page where you can indicate your Keep / Return choice for each radio.
If you did not receive this email, please email ILEAS Communications Coordinator Russ Gentry at rlgentry@ileas.org for assistance.
IEMA requires equipment purchased with federal preparedness funds that becomes lost, stolen or damaged be reported to their agency with explanation. If your agency can not locate the ITTF radio on record, please respond with explanation to Russ Gentry (rlgentry@ileas.org) so IEMA/ITTF can be notified and the record updated.
Basic Information Letters:
Motorola LetterSTARCOM21 Fee Structure
Original Starcom Letter (2004)
MABAS Starcom Letter (7/1/04)