SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Illinois State Police announced three upcoming cadet classes Thursday and is encouraging people from across the state to apply. Two of the new courses will be traditional classes and the other a fast track class, allowing certified police officers to become Illinois State Troopers.
Since 2019, Illinois has fielded 235 Troopers with three cadet classes. These three additional cadet classes, according to a news release from the ISP, will sustain the effort to rebuild the state police units.
The ISP currently has three Cadet Classes scheduled:
| Cadet Class: 133 Traditional | Start Date: August 22, 2021 | Graduation: March 4, 2022 |
| 134 Fast Track | December 12, 2021 | March 11, 2022 |
| 135 Traditional | March 6, 2022 | September 16, 2022 |
“My administration continues rebuilding our State Police force, prioritizing substantial funding for additional troopers in my tenure as governor,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “These three new cadet classes offer Illinoisans a unique opportunity to attend the prestigious Illinois State Police Academy and leave with a heightened understanding of what it means to lead and serve. I remain committed to ensuring that our state police reflects and respects the diversity of the population they safeguard. And I’m proud that we’re making the right investments to build the workforce needed to protect our residents and communities.”
In an effort to be more diverse and reflect the communities they serve, ISP officials said they will continue to recruit women and people of color to apply. The Merit Board is currently accepting applications for the position of Illinois State Police Trooper to fill future Cadet classes. Before applying, applicants should be able to meet the following requirements listed below.
“As the Illinois State Police continue to rebuild, we are focused on what has always been our greatest strength – our people, the brave souls who volunteer to protect our communities across this state every day,” ISP Director Brendan Kelly said. “Despite the obstacles of the last two years, budgets have been stable, investments are being made in our future, we have kept the academy running and we are advancing forward to meet the public safety challenges of our second century as one of the most professional agencies in the country.”
Minimum Requirements:
- U.S. citizen
- Valid driver’s ;icense
- 21 or older
- No felony convictions
- Must be willing to accept assignment anywhere in the State of Illinois
- $30.00 non-refundable application fee
Must meet one of the following options:
- Associate degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university with a C average or better
- 3 consecutive years of active military duty with an honorable discharge
- Any person who has been awarded a Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Served in a combat mission by proof of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay with an honorable discharge
