Connecting PIOs Across Illinois

By: Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Chief Chris Covelli, ILACP Deputy Director AJ Bailey

We are excited to announce the formation of a Public Information Officer (PIO) Section in the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police!

The PIO Section will be designated for anyone within an agency who has a role of external communications and may range from patrol officers to executive-level command personnel. PIO Section participants will have access to fellow PIOs from across the State of Illinois. This will be a tremendous resource should anyone in your agency need to reach out to other PIO professionals for advice or assistance. One of the section’s aims is to create a crisis communication assistance plan among the PIOs in the section. This will create a buddy system of sorts if a crisis arises, and a PIO needs help. The hope is that person will have a PIO living in a nearby community who can come to their aid if needed.

The PIO Section will be a great tool for ILACP members who interact with the media to cultivate networks, develop consistent messaging across the state, have support during critical incidents or high-profile events, and receive additional training opportunities. There will also be an open forum amongst the PIOs in the section for any questions, comments, concerns, or advice. As part of the section, a private social community is now available on the ILACP website (ilchiefs.org).

A Chair, Vice-Chair, and Deputy Director will oversee the Section’s operations, plan regular meetings, and plan at least one annual training opportunity. Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Chris Covelli will serve as the section’s Chair. Making up the rest of the Section Executive Committee are Deputy Director AJ Bailey and Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria.

As of right now, it is free to join the section. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the PIO Section, a form can be found at ilchiefs.org. You will need to include a letter on official letterhead from your department’s chief explaining your position within the organization and how long you’ve been there.

ILACP plans to have the PIO Section up and running before the next Executive Board meeting in August.   

Click here to fill out an application to become a member of the PIO Section!