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Authorizing the Creation of the Kane County Joint Emergency Management System (JEMS) and Approving the JEMS Bylaws
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WHEREAS, the County of Kane and the municipalities and other units of local government within Kane County share a common interest in strengthening emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery capabilities throughout the County; and
WHEREAS, many municipalities recognize the value of professional emergency management services but may not have the resources to independently provide dedicated emergency management personnel and expertise; and
WHEREAS, regional coordination and shared emergency management resources can enhance local capabilities, improve consistency in planning, training, and exercises, and strengthen the overall resilience of Kane County communities; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Office of Emergency Management (“KCOEM”) has developed the Kane County Joint Emergency Management System (“JEMS”) as a voluntary, subscription-based program to provide participating municipalities and other eligible units of local government with dedicated emergency management services and support; and
WHEREAS, the proposed JEMS program has generated interest among municipalities throughout Kane County, with multiple municipalities currently considering participation; and
WHEREAS, JEMS will allow participating units of local government to access dedicated emergency management expertise and services through a shared program administered by KCOEM, while allowing each participating jurisdiction to retain its own local emergency management responsibilities and authorities; and
WHEREAS, the County of Kane recognizes that a coordinated regional approach to emergency management will benefit both participating jurisdictions and the County as a whole by strengthening local preparedness and building greater capacity to respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters; and
WHEREAS, the costs of the JEMS program will be supported through subscription fees paid by participating units of local government, consistent with the JEMS Bylaws and applicable intergovernmental agreements; and
WHEREAS, the Kane County Board finds that the establishment of JEMS is in the best interests of the County of Kane and its municipalities and will promote efficient use of public resources while strengthening emergency management capabilities throughout the County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kane County Board hereby authorizes and approves the creation of the Kane County Joint Emergency Management System (JEMS) as a regional emergency management program administered by the Kane County Office of Emergency Management
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Kane County Board hereby approves and adopts the Kane County Joint Emergency Management System Bylaws, attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference, which establish the structure, administration, participation, and operation of the JEMS program and shall be incorporated by reference into the intergovernmental agreement governing participation in JEMS.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of the Office of Emergency Management is authorized to implement the JEMS program consistent with the approved Bylaws and to take such administrative actions as are necessary to establish and operate the program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that participation in JEMS by a municipality or other eligible unit of local government shall be established through an intergovernmental agreement consistent with the approved JEMS Bylaws and each such intergovernmental agreement shall be presented to and subject to approval by the Kane County Board prior to becoming effective.
Passed by the Kane County Board on November 10, 2026.
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John A. Cunningham, MBA, JD, JD Corinne M. Pierog MA, MBA
Clerk, County Board Chairman, County Board
Kane County, Illinois Kane County, Illinois
Vote: