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About IEMA-OHS
The primary responsibility of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is to better prepare the State of Illinois for natural, manmade or technological disasters, hazards, or acts of terrorism. Our goal is a "better prepared state." IEMA-OHS coordinates the State's disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery programs and activities, functions as the State Emergency Response Commission, and maintains a 24-hour Communication Center and State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). The SEOC acts as lead in crisis/consequence management response and operations to notify, activate, deploy and employ state resources in response to any threat or act of terrorism. IEMA-OHS assists local governments with multi-hazard emergency operations plans and maintains the Illinois Emergency Operations Plan.
IEMA-OHS is also responsible for protecting Illinois residents from the potentially harmful effects of ionizing radiation, administering more than two dozen programs to protect citizens and the environment. Programs include extensive emergency planning and response efforts and training for local responders for accidents involving radiation; inspecting and regulating radioactive materials licensees; registering and inspecting radiation producing equipment and facilities statewide; accrediting medical radiation technologists; and certifying mammography facilities. IEMA-OHS also monitors 11 nuclear power reactors at six nuclear stations licensed to generate electricity in Illinois and inspects and escorts spent nuclear fuel shipments.
Vision
Always Ready
Mission
Prepare, protect and assist the citizens of the State of Illinois through planning, prevention, training, mitigation, response, and recovery to all hazards, natural or manmade.
Acting Director Theodore (Ted) Berger
IEMA-OHS
Ted joins IEMA-OHS as the acting director during a career that includes public policy and public safety related responsibilities across several governmental organizations.
Most recently, Ted served as executive director for the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS), where he guided emergency management and homeland security-related programs and investments within the second largest county by population in the United States. Ted previously served in senior positions within Cook County Government, including with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, on interim assignment with the Office of the Cook County Board President and as chief deputy director for Cook County EMRS.
Prior to joining Cook County, Ted served as chief of staff for the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications where he supported initiatives related to homeland security preparedness and response, public safety technology infrastructure, critical communications systems, large scale event management, disaster planning, non-emergency city service delivery and traffic management resource deployment. Ted has also held several responsibilities with the State of Illinois, including serving as the deputy director for legislative affairs with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, chief of staff for the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal as well as positions at both the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority and the Illinois Department of Transportation. Ted began his career in state government with the Office of the Governor’s James H. Dunn Memorial Fellowship.
In addition to his full-time responsibilities, Ted previously served within the volunteer fire service, having held the role of deputy chief of training, EMS and safety for the North Park Fire Protection District in Machesney Park. From 2009-2012, Ted was a volunteer associate staff member for the White House Office of Scheduling and Advance. Ted holds an MA in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security and a BA in Political Science from Bradley University.
Chief Nuclear Officer Adnan G. Khayyat
IEMA-OHS Office of Nuclear Safety
Adnan Khayyat has served the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) for 26+ years, including more than 13 years in senior leadership. He currently serves as Chief Nuclear Officer and most recently held the roles of Acting Chief of Staff and Interim Director.
Adnan leads Illinois’ nuclear safety programs, overseeing a $50 million budget and a team of 100 professionals committed to protecting public health, safety, and the environment by preventing unnecessary exposure to radiation—both naturally-occurring and human-made. Under his leadership, Illinois has established nationally recognized initiatives that set benchmarks in regulatory excellence and emergency preparedness. As State Liaison Officer to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, he represents Illinois on nuclear safety issues at the national level.
A member of IEMA-OHS’s senior leadership since 2012, Adnan directs the state’s Radiation Control and Agreement State Programs. He has shaped state and national policy through collaboration with federal agencies, national associations, state and local governments, and partners across the private and nonprofit sectors. His work has strengthened public health protections, enhanced emergency response systems, and expanded preparedness and training programs nationwide.
Beyond his executive responsibilities, Adnan is committed to developing the next generation of public sector leaders. As a member of the Governor’s Office Academy of Leadership, he supports workforce development and the advancement of diverse, future-ready leadership pipelines.
He holds both a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. A top honors graduate, he was named Outstanding Chemistry Student of the Year at both the undergraduate (1996) and graduate (1998) levels. His research focused on the intersection of organic chemistry and homeland security. He is a lifetime member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.
Deputy Director Clayton E. Kuetemeyer
IEMA-OHS Office of Emergency Management
Clayton Kuetemeyer serves as the Deputy Director of the Office of Emergency Management for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security.
Clayton leads the Agency’s planning, operations, and planning for Emergency Management mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery to support the citizens of Illinois. He directly oversees the Operations and Recovery Divisions, as well as serving as the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s co-chair of the Emergency Management Committee.
Clayton joined IEMA-OHS after a career of active National Guard military service. He most recently served as the National Guard Bureau Joint Staff’s Future Operations Division Chief, where he led planning and interagency coordination for National Guard support to domestic operations. From 2021-2023, he also oversaw National Guard readiness reporting, global force management, policy development, and the execution of the annual National Guard Domestic Operations Conference.
From 2019-2021, Clayton commanded the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Urbana, IL. This included a year-long deployment leading the Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine, the primary U.S. security cooperation effort partnering with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). From Yavoriv, Ukraine, he synchronized the efforts of advisor teams from U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Lithuania, and Poland to advise the AFU on planning and executing large-scale exercises, developing doctrine, and designing training to improve combat readiness.
Clayton served as the Illinois National Guard’s Chief of Joint Staff from 2018-2019, directing ILNG planning, programs, and operations related to joint military matters on behalf of The Adjutant General – Illinois. This included oversight of interagency coordination, policy development, strategic planning, operations planning for emergency response, and international cooperation with the Polish Armed Forces and Israeli Homefront Command.
Clayton has earned Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College and in Human Resource Education from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He has significant experience in mission-focused organizations, operations and planning functions, leading organizational change, building collaborative teams, and developing relationships that enable and achieve collective success.