A bill that would give Illinois emergency dispatchers more benefits and officially classify the profession as first responders could soon be sent to the governor.
Senate Bill 3127 was filed by state Sen. Neil Anderson and provides that emergency dispatchers are now COVID-19 first responders.
If signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, emergency dispatchers would qualify for extra medical benefits, mental health benefits, and extra funding for the industry.
Anderson, R-Andalusia, explained during a news conference Wednesday why he thinks this bill was important to pass.
"Dispatchers are there to answer the initial call on what 99% of the time is someone's worst day of their entire life," Anderson said. "These men and women deal with critical situations and they are our eyes and ears for police, fire, and E.M.S."
