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Office of Homeland Security

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Welcome

The Office of Illinois Homeland Security was established by Governor JB Pritzker on April 18, 2023, by Executive Order.  The office was established to enhance the capabilities of the state to further protect the citizens of Illinois from man-made and natural disasters by focusing on prevention and resiliency within the state.  The office is guided by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director as the Governors Homeland Security Advisor Alicia Tate-Nadeau. 

Meet Our Homeland Security Staff

Alicia Tate-Nadeau

Alicia Tate-Nadeau was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker to serve as the Illinois Homeland Security Advisor in January 2019.  In her capacity as Illinois Homeland Security Advisor, Tate-Nadeau serves on the Executive Committee for the Governor's Homeland Security Advisor Council.  

Tate-Nadeau also serves on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, as Regional Vice President of the Homeland Security Committee for the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), the Cybersecurity Committee for the Council of Governors and is nominated for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC).

Tate-Nadeau brings more than three decades of experience in national security, emergency management, and public safety issues. Prior to this appointment, Tate-Nadeau served as Executive Director of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications where she implemented and managed the third largest 9-1-1 call center in the nation and procured all information and technology for public safety in the City of Chicago.

Ms. Tate-Nadeau was the first female general in Illinois history and completed her military service as the Assistant Adjutant General for the Illinois National Guard with a concurrent assignment as the Deputy Commanding General, Army National Guard, United States Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as well as overseas tours in Iraq and Israel.  Ms. Tate-Nadeau was the first National Guard liaison to Israel serving a three year tour to the Israel Home front Command.

Tate-Nadeau is also active in several civic organizations. She serves on the American Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois Regional Board of Directors.   In her capacity as Retired Brigadier General, Tate-Nadeau, is a member of Mission: Readiness, the nonpartisan national security organization of over 700 retired admirals and generals who strengthen national security by ensuring kids stay in school, stay fit, and stay out of trouble. 

Vision

Enhance the safety of the citizens of Illinois through diversity, equity and inclusion, while rigorously protecting privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.

Mission Statement

Through collaboration, coordination and communication, the Office of Homeland Security will research, develop, and implement interdisciplinary, multijurisdictional programs and services to protect the residents of Illinois from current and emerging natural, technological, and human-caused threats and risks. The Office of Homeland Security is dedicated to meeting the challenges of the future to provide a safe and well-coordinated response by:

  • Collaborating and leveraging partnerships with our intra-agency public safety partners to provide information and threat analysis for protection of our communities and critical infrastructure.

  • Reduce the likelihood of incidents from cyber threats that can damage Illinois’s economy and critical resources.

  • Work with our federal partners to secure grants, enhance cooperation and coordination among our local, tribal, territorial, and state with the latest equipment and training to address the states homeland security strategies.

  • Build coalitions focused on reducing violence within the state by working with federal, state, and local agencies, school officials, mental health professionals, community organizations, private entities, and other stakeholders to reduce sources of grievance that foster an environment for violence.

  • The Office of Homeland Security is not a law enforcement agency; however, we will help our communities stay safe by raising public awareness of the signs of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and how to report suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.

The Illinois Office of Homeland Security is not part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and does not have jurisdiction in matters of immigration, naturalization, customs enforcement, or the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). For information about any of these federal programs, please call (202)282-8000 or visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website