First responders gathered in Springfield Friday for a training summit.
Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency James Joseph led a tribute, in recognition of the 14th anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks.
"On this very day, there was a heinous attack on our country, on our nation, that our changed our way of life. That sometimes ... that in many aspects re- solidified what we do as emergency managers, as public safety professionals, as police, as law enforcement."
Illinois police and firefighters in the audience who'd been deployed on 9-11 stood for an ovation.
Governor Bruce Rauner thanked emergency personnel for their dedication. He'd earlier signed a proclamation declaring Friday Patriot Day in Illinois, and ordered flags to half-staff.
