DeKalb County voters today will decide if a 911 emergency phone system will come to the area outside of NIU.

NIU is the only location in DeKalb County with a 911 emergency phone system. If the referendum passes, the system will be available to every county resident and business.

The DeKalb Police Department is “hoping very strongly” the referendum will pass, Sgt. Robert McMorrow said, but it is up to voters to take the time to vote.

A 30 percent voter turnout is expected because of a lack of competition in today’s DeKalb school district board elections, said DeKalb County Clerk Terry Desmond.

As of Monday, 300 absentee ballots were received, only one-third of last year’s absentee ballots. “We are still hoping that the 911 question will encourage voters to vote,” Desmond said.

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau recently joined the Sheriff’s Department, the County Board, the DeKalb City Council, and most fire, police and ambulance services throughout the county in support of a 911 emergency phone system.

The Enhanced 911 system can provide the dispatcher with the caller’s number, police, fire and ambulance service for the address and special information about the address.

A monthly fee of 84-cents per telephone line will fund the system. This charge will not affect NIU residence hall students.