Behind the headset: what it’s like to be a Cook County dispatcher

Story by WTIP Youth Volunteer Linnea Ziller

I talked with my mom, Darcy Ziller, about what it’s like to be a Cook County Dispatcher. We talked about how she became a dispatcher, what a ‘typical’ day looks like, roles and responsibilities, advice for others looking to enter the field, and more. Audio is below.

Kalli Hawkins July 14, 2026