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In celebration of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the Illinois Tollway is proud to recognize Julie Jadwin as its “Telecommunicator of the Year.”
With composure, compassion and an exceptional ability to manage roadway emergencies, Julie is a steady voice when help is needed most.
When she first began her dispatch career after college in 2013, Jadwin considered it more of a job to help pay bills and never imagined it would become her career.
“Over time, it helped me grow as an adult and opened up many opportunities,” Jadwin said. “There’s not a day that goes by that I regret making the decision to become a telecommunicator.”
Jadwin joined the Illinois Tollway in November 2022, continuing a journey that began in Dyersburg, Tennessee. She was first introduced to the career by her brother-in-law, a former telecommunicator and EMT. He told her it was a job that “anyone who has a pulse can do.” She quickly realized he was wrong, recognizing that it takes a special kind of person to be a telecommunicator.
Dispatch Manager Craig Lundt agrees: “Julie is the type of person who never hesitates to lend a hand, no matter how busy she is. Her willingness to always step up and help others is one of the reasons she’s so deserving of this recognition as Telecommunicator of the Year.”
Each year, Tollway Dispatch honors one telecommunicator during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed annually in April. These professionals are the unseen heroes on the front lines, answering 911 and *999 calls, dispatching emergency responders and providing essential information that helps save lives across the Tollway’s 294-mile system.
Julie finds meaning in the pace and purpose of the work. She enjoys the fast-paced atmosphere of dispatching and the spontaneity of it. That unpredictability also means high stress is part of the job, especially in moments that require staying calm under pressure.
“I try to stay as positive as I can, though that’s not always easy in high-stress situations,” she said. “But at the end of the day, if everyone on the Tollway gets the help they need and safely makes it to their destination, that’s a win for me.”
Jadwin’s recognition as Telecommunicator of the Year underscores her unwavering dedication, skill and professionalism in ensuring the safety of motorists and first responders alike. Her contributions exemplify the critical role telecommunicators play in maintaining public safety and responding to emergencies with efficiency and compassion.
As the Illinois Tollway celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to Jadwin and all telecommunicators who serve as the lifeline between the public and emergency services.
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