Springfield Unveils BEACON Project to Improve Crisis Response

Springfield officials have launched a new initiative aimed at transforming how the city responds to emergencies involving mental health and substance use crises. The program, called the BEACON Project — short for Bridging Emergency and Community Outreach Network — seeks to better coordinate law enforcement, fire personnel, and behavioral health professionals in addressing these increasingly common situations.

The project, which is funded through national opioid settlement dollars, will establish a new crisis response system that connects first responders with trained behavioral health specialists. A key component of the initiative is the BEACON Outreach Life-saving Treatment vehicle, known as the BOLT unit, which will provide on-scene behavioral health services and link individuals to care options rather than defaulting to arrest or hospitalization.

Mayor Misty Buscher said the city’s goal is to build a more compassionate and effective system that can save lives and ease pressure on emergency responders. “Springfield is committed to using every available resource to save lives and build stronger, safer neighborhoods,” Buscher said. “Through the BEACON Project, we’re ensuring that when residents call for help, they’re met with compassion, expertise, and real pathways to recovery.”

In a social media post, Ward 7 Alderman Brad Carlson said, " I'm happy to support this program to help those in need. BEACON will be a game changer by transforming the community's response to opioid-related and mental health service calls.

The collaborative approach will allow local agencies to share data, coordinate responses, and follow up with individuals after crises occur. The project represents a broader statewide shift toward integrating mental health and substance use treatment within emergency response efforts, with Springfield now among the first Illinois cities to adopt this model.