Kane County Approves Radio Upgrade to Improve Communication for Transportation Crews

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The Kane County Board has approved the purchase of 93 new handheld and mobile radios for the Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT), addressing longstanding issues with outdated equipment.

“These radios were long past their prime," said KDOT Maintenance Superintendent Mike Way. “There's nothing more stressful than not being able to reach a driver during a storm or emergency. Static, dropped signals, and dead air were all too common."

The aging radios left KDOT unable to communicate directly with the Kane County Sheriff's Office or the Office of Emergency Management during critical events. Staff were often forced to relay messages through KaneComm, the county's 911 system, which slowed response times and raised safety concerns.

The new radios, secured in coordination with KaneComm and a local provider in St. Charles, will allow KDOT crews to communicate directly with law enforcement, emergency personnel, and fellow workers in the field, eliminating the need for third party relays and improving real time response.

“Having KDOT communicate directly with the Sheriff's Office and ensuring KaneComm can clearly understand radio traffic is essential," said KaneComm Director Michelle Guthrie. “They don't have to repeat themselves or call in. Everything is clear and efficient."

Asked why cell phones weren't chosen instead, officials explained that two-way radios provide real time, shared situational awareness. Everyone hears the same message at the same time, keeping all team members on the same page during urgent operations.

KDOT is responsible for maintaining more than 700 lane miles of roads throughout Kane County. The department works closely with the Sheriff's Office, KaneComm and the Office of Emergency Management to close, clear, or secure roads during emergencies, such as severe weather events.