Springfield, IL

Timothy J. Davlin, Mayor of the City of Springfield, has consistently acted to guide the cities efforts to improve its security and disaster preparedness, combat gang violence and drug distribution, and promote drug and gang awareness education in the local school system.

Early in his administration, Mayor Davlin worked with the City Council to create an Office of Homeland Security for the city. This decision proved prescient because within a few months, Springfield was forced to respond to the two tornadoes occurring within a six-hour period that caused unprecedented devastation. The Emergency Operations Center was activated and provided around-the-clock assistance not only to Springfield, but also to the surrounding area. Once Springfield was designated a Federal Disaster Area, the newly formed Office of Homeland Security facilitated an unparalleled level of interagency cooperation with the Illinois and Federal Emergency Management Agencies.

At Mayor Davlin’s insistence, the city’s Office of Homeland Security conducted a series of table-top exercises designed to promote interagency planning and identify shortcomings in responding to crises and other emergencies. He sought and received funding to replace antiquated communications equipment with state-of-the-art mobile data computers and radio networks to improve the safety and effectiveness of city first responders and enable them to communicate with federal, state, and local agencies.

Mayor Davlin’s Sudden Impact initiative was a multi-department approach to rid Springfield of drug dealers who blatantly stood on the street corners and sold drugs. Sudden Impact generated several coordinated, widespread sweeps of the worst neighborhoods to address street level sales and purchases of illegal drugs.

Mayor Davlin serves on the Governor’s Law Enforcement Standards and Training Board and has a keen understanding of the need for ongoing professional development.