Kane County Officials Work To Change State Law To Improve Emergency Safety Response

KANE COUNTY, IL — The Kane County Office of Emergency Management has spearheaded a change in Illinois law that will make emergency responses safer for both personnel and the public, county officials said Monday.

House Bill 2442 (HB2442), which was recently signed into law, will change the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow vehicles operated by local and county emergency management agencies to install and operate traffic control signal preemption devices when responding to emergencies, according to a news release from the county.

These devices allow emergency vehicles to change or extend traffic lights, clearing intersections as they approach and reducing the risk of collisions.

Previously, only police, fire, ambulance and a limited number of state agencies were authorized to use this technology.

Kane County OEM Director Scott Buziecki advocated for the change, citing the “unacceptable risk to Kane County OEM personnel and County-owned vehicles” under the former law, according to the news release. Working with Kane County’s lobbyist, Buziecki identified sponsors and successfully advanced the legislation through the General Assembly, leading to its passage.

"Kane County OEM plays a vital role in disaster response and emergency coordination, assisting with traffic control, communications, resource deployment and interagency support," according to the news release.

Buziecki emphasized that the new law will not only enhance safety for emergency management personnel but also improve protection for the community during disaster and emergency operations.

The law takes effect January 1, 2026.