First responders in Henry County now have new and much-improved radio communications.
At noon Monday, all law enforcement agencies and Emergency Communications Centers in Henry County transitioned to the STARCOM21 digital trunked radio network. The move is a “significant advancement in public safety communications for the region,” according to Mat Schnepple, director of the Henry County Office of Emergency Management.
This upgrade replaces the county’s legacy conventional VHF radio system, which operated without the benefit of repeated signal coverage. “The VHF system was increasingly limited in reliability, clarity, and coverage — especially in rural areas and within structures,” Schnepple wrote in a news release. “These limitations posed challenges during critical incidents where seamless communication can mean the difference between life and death.”
Schnepple wrote that all emergency services were fully operational during this transition.
The Kewanee Police Department transitioned to the STARCOM21 network in 2023.
By moving to the STARCOM21 network, Henry County law enforcement gains:
“As part of our commitment to enhancing public safety and protecting the integrity of our operations, law enforcement talkgroups in Henry County will be encrypted, meaning radio traffic will not be available to the public,” Schepple wrote. ‘This change enhances officer safety, protects sensitive information, and aligns with current standards for law enforcement operations across Illinois and the nation.”
The transition to the STARCOM21 system was led by the Henry County Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) in partnership with the Henry County Office of Emergency Management and numerous participating agencies, including:
Technical support and implementation were provided by Motorola Solutions and Mobile Communications America (formerly Supreme Radio). Funding for the project was made possible through the Henry County Public Safety Sales Tax passed in 2018 and 911 Surcharge Funds, ensuring that no additional tax or fee burden was placed on residents.
Phase 2 of the STARCOM21 project will transition Henry County Fire departments to the STARCOM network and is anticipated to begin in 2026. More information on the STARCOM21 radio network can be found here.
For more information on this project, contact your local Henry County law enforcement agency at their posted non-emergency number.
