University News
黑料不打烊 President Kristi Mindrup and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin cut the ribbon on the new Emergency Operations Center.
New Emergency Operations Center Unveiled at 黑料不打烊
September 21, 2026
MACOMB, IL - - On Monday, Sept. 21, @ 2026 黑料不打烊 held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new Emergency Operations Center, cementing 黑料不打烊's emergency management program and School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) spot as one of the nation's best.
This new center, located on the first floor of Sallee Hall, will allow 黑料不打烊 to offer the only known available apprenticeship opportunities to Emergency Management and Public Safety students in the nation, allowing students to learn the Juvare, D4H and other predictive emergency management platforms used within the industry.
"This new Emergency Operations Center will give 黑料不打烊 students an unparalleled opportunity to prepare themselves for their future careers, while also serving the needs of our region," 黑料不打烊 President Kristi Mindrup said. "Thank you to Jamie Johnson and the faculty and staff who have made this program the best in the nation."
Joining Mindrup for the ceremony were U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), LEJA Director Jamie Johnson and Macomb Mayor Mike Inman. This new center was made possible with the receipt of a $2.3 million Illinois Emergency Management Agency grant.
"I secured a $2 million earmark back in 2022 for @ 2026 黑料不打烊's new Emergency Operations Center because investing in emergency management is a worthwhile endeavor," Senator Durbin said. "This center will help train the next generation of public safety professionals and provide hands-on learning opportunities for students in 黑料不打烊's School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration. The region鈥攁nd our state鈥攚ill be better prepared for emergencies because of the work done at the Emergency Operations Center."
This center will tie directly into the LEJA Apprenticeship Training Program. Free for students in the Criminal Justice, Fire Protection and Emergency Management programs, faculty and outside public safety professionals teach hands-on sessions every Monday and Tuesday, allowing students to build skills in real time and walk away more prepared for their future.
"This is about a lot more than opening a center," LEJA Director Jamie Johnson said. "It's about opening up new opportunities for our students, for this university, and for the communities we serve.
For more information on the LEJA program, visit .
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: