Community Emergency Services and Support Act (CESSA) Statewide Advisory Committee

CESSA - Statewide Advisory Committee

Last updated: 11/08/2024

On August 25, 2021, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act (CESSA), 50 ILCS 754/, also known as the Stephon Edward Watts Act.

This new law is designed to enhance the response to behavioral health crises across our state. These enhancements to our crisis system will require a close collaboration between multiple systems and disciplines. The Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Division of Mental Health (DMH), as well as the Illinois Department of Public Health and the 911 Administrator will be working together to implement the law.

Section 40 of the Act requires DMH to establish a Statewide Advisory Committee and also lists the specific representatives required for appointment to the Committee. The Appointees and their role can be found below:

40.d.1: Statewide 911 Administrator, ex officio
- Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Statewide 911 Administrator
40.d.2: One representative designated by the Illinois Chapter of National Emergency Number Association (NENA)
- James Hennessy, Communications Administrative Supervisor of Laraway Communications Center
40.d.3: One representative designated by the Illinois Chapter of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO)
- Brent Reynolds, President of IL APCO
40.d.4: One representative of the Division of Mental Health
- David Albert, PhD, Director, Division of Mental Health
40.d.5: One representative of the Illinois Department of Public Health
- Robert Van Bebber, Division Chief, EMS & Highway Safety
40.d.6: One representative of a statewide organization of EMS responders
- Andrew (Drew) Hansen, Director of Health, Safety and Education of Associated Firefighters of IL
40.d.7: One representative of a statewide organization of fire chiefs
- Peter Dyer, EMS/Nursing Senior Services Manager- Schaumburg Fire Department

40.d.8: Two representatives of a statewide organizations of law enforcement
- Rachel Ahart, Police Lieutenant, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Jim Kaitschuk, Executive Director Illinois Sheriff's Association
40.d.9: Two representatives of a mental health, behavioral health or substance abuse providers
- Blanca Campos, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs at Community Behavioral Healthcare Association of IL
- Emily Miller, IARF Vice President for Behavioral Health Policy
40.d.10: Four representatives of advocacy organizations either led by or consisting primarily of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, individuals with behavioral disabilities, or individuals with lived experience
- Curtis Harris, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities
- Candace Coleman, Access Living
- Justin Houcek, ASDwithME LLC
- Brittany Watson, Egyptian Health Department

Schedule & Links

For copies of PowerPoints or any materials referenced in these meetings, please email DHS.DMH.CESSA@illinois.gov to request a copy.

CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Charter - Approved by Members 07/11/2022

FY 25 Meetings	Date/Time	Location	Agenda coming soon for upcoming meeting
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	June 9, 2025 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 06/09/2025
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	May 12, 2025 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 05/12/2025
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	April 14, 2025 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM	Virtual (Zoom) - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join In person location: Access Living; 115 W Chicago Ave; Chicago, IL 60654	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 04/14/2025
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	March 10, 2025 1:00 AM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 03/10/2025
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	February 10, 2025 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 02/10/2025 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 02/10/2025 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	January 13, 2025 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 01/13/2025 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 01/13/2025 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	December 9, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 12/09/2024 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 12/09/2024 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	November 12, 2024 Please note updated date due to holiday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 11/12/2024 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 11/12/2024 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	October 15, 2024 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Please note updated date AND time	In Person: Village of Glenview Village Hall; 2500 East Lake Ave; Glenview, IL 60026 WebEx - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 10/15/2024 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 10/15/2024 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	September 09, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 09/09/2024 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 09/09/2024 Approved Minutes
FY 24 Meetings	Date/Time	Location	Agendas, Approved Minutes, Recordings
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	June 10, 2024 CANCELLED	CANCELLED	CANCELLED
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	May 13, 2024 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM	In Person: Memorial Learning Center; 228 West Miller St.; First Floor Auditorium; Springfield, IL 62702 WebEx - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 05/13/2024 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 05/13/2024 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	April 8, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 04/08/2024 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 04/08/2024 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	March 11, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 03/11/2024 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 03/11/2024 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	February 13, 2024 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Please note updated date and time	In Person: Village of Glenview Village Hall; 2500 East Lake Ave; Glenview, IL 60026 WebEx - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 02/13/2024 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 02/13/2024 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	January 8, 2024 CANCELLED	CANCELLED	CANCELLED
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	December 11, 2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 12/11/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 12/11/2023 Approved Minutes Interim Risk Level Matrix (IRLM)
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	November 13, 2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 11/13/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 11/13/2023 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	October 16, 2023 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Please note updated date due to holiday	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 10/16/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 10/16/2023 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	September 11, 2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 09/11/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 09/11/2023 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	August 14, 2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 08/14/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 08/14/2023 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	July 10, 2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 07/10/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 07/10/2023 Approved Minutes
FY 23 Meetings	Date/Time	Location	Agendas, Approved Minutes, Recordings
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	June 12, 2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 06/12/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 06/12/2023 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	May 8, 2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 05/08/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 05/08/2023 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	April 10, 2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 04/10/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 04/10/2023 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	March 13, 2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 03/13/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 03/13/2023 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee PLEASE NOTE UPDATED DATE AND TIME	February 06, 2023 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM PLEASE NOTE UPDATED DATE AND TIME	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 02/06/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 02/06/2023 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	January 9, 2023 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 01/09/2023 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 01/09/2023 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	December 12, 2022 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 12/12/2022 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 12/12/2022 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	November 21, 2022 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM *PLEASE NOTE UPDATED MEETING DATE & TIME*	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 11/21/2022 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 11/21/2022 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	October 14, 2022 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM *PLEASE NOTE UPDATED MEETING DATE*	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 10/14/2022 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 10/14/2022 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	September 12, 2022 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 09/12/2022 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 09/12/2022 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	August 8, 2022 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 08/08/2022 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 08/08/2022 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	July 11, 2022 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 07/11/2022 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 07/11/2022 Approved Minutes
CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee	June 3, 2022 10:30 AM	WebEx Only - See Agenda for Link and Information to Join	CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda & WebEx Link 06/03/2022 CESSA Statewide Advisory Committee Meeting 06/03/2022 Approved Minutes