Springfield, IL — State emergency officials are preparing for a large-scale training exercise tied to nuclear safety in the Quad Cities region early next year.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) announced that an emergency response exercise for the Quad Cities Nuclear Generating Station is scheduled for February 2026. The drill is designed to test and strengthen emergency preparedness plans for communities surrounding the facility.
According to IEMA-OHS, nuclear emergency exercises are conducted regularly at each of Illinois’ nuclear generating stations. The goal is to ensure state and local agencies are familiar with required procedures and can respond effectively in the event of a real incident.
The Quad Cities Nuclear Generating Station is located in Cordova, Illinois, in Rock Island County, along the Mississippi River, serving communities in northwestern Illinois and eastern Iowa. While the February exercise will be closed to the media, officials emphasized that advance notice is important so news organizations understand the purpose of the activity and do not confuse it with an actual emergency.
IEMA-OHS also provided emergency preparedness materials related to the facility so media outlets can become familiar with the Illinois Plan for Radiological Accidents (IPRA). The plan outlines how state and local agencies coordinate response actions, public notifications, and protective measures during a nuclear-related incident.
Officials noted that, in a real emergency, the media would play a critical role in delivering accurate and timely information to residents in affected areas.
Additional details about the February 2026 exercise, including the specific dates and participating agencies, are expected to be released closer to the event. IEMA-OHS encouraged media outlets to share the notice internally to ensure all staff are aware of the scheduled training.
