Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly and Statewide 911 Administrator Cindy Barbera-Brelle announced Wednesday the state’s intent to move forward with a new 911 system known as Next Generation 911 network. The announcement of an intent to award a contract to AT&T is expected to lead to a system that will allow for video sharing and text messages to be sent to 911 telecommunicators, according to St. Clair County 911 Director Herb Simmons. “I think it’s going to give our 911 telecommunicators the tools to have a lot more available information at their to fingertips to relay to our first responders,” he said. Simmons said the ability to send a text message could be helpful in some situations. He cited a scenario where an intruder is inside a home and the victim is concerned about being heard making a phone call.