Cook County VoIP

Level-1 deployed Cisco VoIP for Cook County, unifying 22,000 users across 100+ sites with secure, scalable communications.

With more than 5 million residents, 134 municipalities and over 90 government agencies operating across 106 locations, Cook County’s voice communication systems had become increasingly costly and fragmented. In 2017, the Bureau of Technology (BOT) launched a county-wide modernization initiative to replace legacy TDM PBX and voicemail systems with a single, secure Cisco Unified Communications (UC) platform. The goal was to simplify operations, reduce long-term telecommunications costs, and lay the groundwork for more advanced collaboration tools. 

As a subcontractor to Sentinel Technologies, Level-1 Global Solutions was responsible for deploying the Cisco VoIP system across Cook County’s decentralized environment. Our work focused on engineering a robust, high-availability voice infrastructure that could support more than 22,000 users across hospitals, jails, courthouses, and administrative offices. 

We conducted detailed site surveys, managed hardware procurement and logistics, configured the VoIP systems, and led on-site deployment and testing. Working in live, 24/7 environments like Stroger Hospital and the Cook County Jail required meticulous cutover planning, coordination with County IT staff, and after-hours transitions to avoid service interruptions. As of 2021-22, we had completed installations at over 100 facilities, with more than 75 sites receiving post-deployment support services. 

The new system unified County agencies under a single, secure voice network, reduced the reliance on costly legacy infrastructure, and enabled future upgrades like integrated video conferencing and mobile calling. 

What We Delivered 

• Design, deployment, and configuration of Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) at over 100 County locations 
• Migration from legacy PBX and voicemail systems to VoIP for more than 22,000 end users 
• Structured cabling upgrades and network readiness assessments in healthcare, justice, and administrative facilities 
• Coordination with County IT, Sentinel, and on-site agency staff for seamless cutover execution 
• On-site user training and documentation for administrative and general users 
• Remote and on-site post-deployment support for 75+ active locations 
• 24/7 service planning and installation across critical infrastructure environments (e.g. hospitals, jails) 
• Contribution to Cook County’s broader goal of consolidating telecom operations and achieving long-term savings 

By migrating to a centralized VoIP platform, Cook County has achieved significant cost savings, simplified support and vendor management, and created a scalable foundation for future voice and collaboration services. Level-1’s expertise ensured that this high-impact transformation could be implemented across sensitive government sites with zero downtime, empowering public servants with the tools they need to better serve residents.