Chicago Communications is proud to share that Chris Young, System Integrator based out of our Elmhurst, Illinois office, has been named 2025 Technician of the Year by the Illinois Chapter of APCO.
Chris received the award at this year’s Illinois Public Safety Telecommunications Association (IPSTA) Conference, co-sponsored by Illinois APCO and the Illinois NENA (INENA) chapter. The honor reflects his technical skill, leadership, and long-standing commitment to public safety communications across the region.
A 17-Year Journey of Technical Leadership
Chris joined Chicago Communications 17 years ago as a technician. Over nearly two decades, he has grown into a trusted system integrator and technical leader, known internally as the person you call when a problem is complex, urgent, or both.
In his current role, Chris:
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Designs and supports integrated communication systems for public safety agencies
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Coordinates work across multiple vendors, product lines, and dispatch centers
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Translates agency goals into clear tasks for ChiComm’s field technicians
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Works directly with end customers to keep projects on track and done right the first time
Colleagues describe him as the “last resort” troubleshooter – the one who looks at a challenge from multiple angles until he finds the best solution forward.
Watch the complete Technician of the Year tribute video for Chris Young
A Go-To Partner for 911 Centers and PSAP Consolidations
The agencies Chris supports include 911 communications centers, also known as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), the first point of contact when someone dials 911.
Partners in the region highlighted Chris’s role in:
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Supporting the consolidation of multiple PSAPs into shared 911 centers
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Helping agencies through expansions and technology upgrades
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Ensuring that new radio and dispatch positions are thoroughly tested and ready before telecommunicators go live
One communications leader noted that when their center expanded, Chris personally oversaw the installation of the radio system across all 12 workstations, staying on site until everything was functioning exactly as it should for the staff who depend on that equipment every day.
Trusted by Public Safety Agencies Across the Region
What stands out most in the congratulatory messages shared at the IPSTA conference is a consistent theme: trust.
Public safety leaders from agencies such as the City of Evanston and the Village of Skokie spoke about how Chris has become their go-to resource when something is difficult to diagnose or mission-critical to fix. When a radio, console, or system issue threatens operations, the answer is often simple: “Let’s check with Chris.”
They praised:
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His professionalism and strong work ethic
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His reliability as the go-to resource when complex problems come up
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His dedication to seeing projects through from planning to final acceptance
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His everyday contributions that keep operations running smoothly, not just during high-profile incidents
As one director put it, this award is “a perfect reflection of the incredible work he does every day.”
Why Technician of the Year Matters for Our Customers
Public safety agencies rely on their technology working every time, from portable radios in the field to consoles in the 911 center. Technicians like Chris are the link between today’s complex systems and the people who depend on them to protect their communities.
The Illinois APCO Technician of the Year award recognizes technical professionals who consistently go above and beyond for their agencies and peers across the state. For our customers, that means:
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The systems they use are designed and supported by recognized technical expertise
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Projects are led by someone who understands both the technology and the operational realities of public safety
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They have a long-term partner who is invested in their success, not just a one-time installer
A Reflection of the ChiComm Team
While this award celebrates Chris’s individual excellence, it also reflects the strength of the entire Chicago Communications technical team. Our technicians, engineers, and project managers work together to support radio systems, dispatch consoles, call boxes, in-building coverage, and other critical communications infrastructure for agencies throughout the region.
Chris’s recognition as the Illinois APCO 2025 Technician of the Year underscores the level of service and professionalism our customers can expect when working with ChiComm.
Congratulations, Chris
On behalf of everyone at Chicago Communications, congratulations to Chris Young on this well-deserved honor. We are proud to have you on our team and grateful for the difference you make for our customers and their communities every day.
