The ASIS Foundation and the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, a coalition of more than 890 law enforcement agencies, have signed a memorandum of understanding that enables ILEAS to hire a critical infrastructure specialist to work in the Illinois Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center. The person in this position will receive, analyze and distribute appropriate intelligence received from local, state and federal levels to the private sector. Illinois ASIS members contributed to a fund managed by the ASIS Foundation that will pay the salary for this full-time specialist.

A one-stop resource for hazard and terrorism-related information, STIC, located in Springfield, Ill., is a 24/7 all-crimes fusion center staffed by analytical personnel from the Illinois State Police, Illinois National Guard, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Agency and Department of Homeland Security. The Illinois STIC is the first fusion center to have a position funded by the private sector to focus on data relevant to private-sector security. It is expected this arrangement can be the model for other fusion centers across the country.

"The force multiplier of private-sector data fused with public-sector intelligence provides both public and private safety and security officials with the tool for preparedness in the event of any hazard disaster," said Tim Williams, CPP, director of security at Caterpillar Inc., headquartered in Peoria, Ill., and chairman of the board of ASIS. "Caterpillar is proud to have supported this worthwhile effort."

ILEAS Executive Director Jim Page says, "We are honored to participate with the Illinois State Police Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center and the ASIS Foundation on this project. ILEAS, as a representative of local law enforcement, values its partnership with both the State Police and privately held security assets within our state."