Representatives from first responder agencies, the education community, private businesses, the public and other groups and organizations in northern Illinois will provide input into development of the state’s new homeland security strategy during town hall meetings next week in Dixon and Sugar Grove.

The meetings are among a series of eight meetings that have been held across the state since fall, according to a news release from the state. They are part of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s “Illinois Homeland Security Vision 2020,” a statewide, grass-roots initiative to engage Illinois’ residents and organizations in the revision of the state’s strategy for dealing with current and emerging threats and risks, as well as response to disasters.

Input from the series of town hall meetings will be consolidated and presented in a final summit in Springfield in September.