9 Illinois colleges, universities launch emergency program

University of Illinois

State emergency managers and nine Illinois colleges and universities have started a program intended to improve emergency readiness on campuses.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and schools such as the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University and Augustana College launched the program.

The News-Gazette in Champaign reports the program is intended to offer participating schools a framework to plan and prepare for emergencies.

Jonathon Monken is executive director of the emergency management agency. He said campus emergency preparedness has become more important since a mass shooting at Northern Illinois University in 2008.

Other schools involved are Columbia College in Chicago, Heartland Community College in Normal, Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Richland Community College in Decatur and Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg.