Illinois DoIT Honored for Enhancing Safety at School for the Blind

The Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) has been awarded the 2026 NASCIO State IT Recognition Award for its project "The Power of Touch: Modernizing Safety for Blind Students." This initiative introduced the CENTEGIX CrisisAlert system at the Illinois School for the Blind, providing staff with wearable devices that send real-time location information during emergencies. The system has significantly reduced emergency response times from six or seven minutes to just three or four. Brandon Ragle, Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology Secretary, emphasized the project's impact on student safety and expressed pride in the recognition. (m.riverbender.com)