Illinois Law Enforcement Group Commends Northwestern

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Northwestern University was recognized by the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) for “superior planning and preparedness” in a ceremony Nov. 20 at the new University Police headquarters. 

ILEAS is a statewide consortium of more than 950 local agencies and police departments that was created in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

At the ceremony, James Elliot, Region 4 planning coordinator for ILEAS, presented a plaque recognizing the University for the honor. Accepting the certificate were Senior Vice President for Business and Finance Eugene Sunshine, Associate Vice President of Public Safety and Chief of University Police Bruce Lewis, Associate Vice President of Finance Operations and Treasurer Ingrid Stafford and Emergency Services Police Commander Shaun Johnson.

ILEAS’ mutual aid system is aimed at providing immediate law enforcement resources, manpower and equipment at the scene of a local emergency, such as a weather disaster like the recent tornadoes that ripped through the state, a terrorist attack, an explosion or a different emergency.

The University was recognized for successfully completing the ILEAS agency preparedness program of training and requirements to be ready for such an eventuality. Elliot briefed a group of senior University officials, police commanders, risk management and emergency preparedness officials and praised Northwestern staffers for their extensive efforts. The plaque noted that ILEAS was commending Northwestern for “superior planning and preparedness by a local law enforcement agency.”