Illinois State Police welcome 20 new troopers from Cadet Class 152

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois State Police welcomed 20 new troopers Friday during a graduation ceremony for Cadet Class 152 at the state police academy in Springfield.

The new troopers will report Sunday to three troop locations across the state. Cadet Class 152 is the 25th graduating class under Gov. JB Pritzker and ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. Since 2019, a total of 741 troopers has joined the agency.

“On behalf of the State of Illinois, I’d like to congratulate Cadet Class 152 on their graduation,” Pritzker said. “These 20 new Troopers embody the integrity and pride that shape our premier State Police force, and I commend them for their indispensable service.”

“Today is another momentous day for ISP as we celebrate our second graduating class this month,” Kelly said. “As these 20 new Troopers raise their hands and say the ISP Oath of an Officer, they’re not just speaking words, they are affirming for all to hear that they have chosen the path of service as an officer – a life with purpose, defined by duty. Today, I am proud to call them Illinois State Police Troopers.”

Cadet Class 152 completed a 27-week training program that included both classroom and physical instruction. Training topics included cultural diversity, procedural justice, domestic violence, critical incident response, de-escalation tactics, firearms, first responder certification, control and arrest tactics, the Illinois vehicle code, criminal law, motor carrier safety and juvenile law.

Following academy training, cadets must complete a 14-week field training program with a field training officer, bringing total training to 41 weeks. Troopers who successfully complete the program advance to solo patrol status.

The new troopers have been assigned as follows:

Troop 2 (LaSalle/Moline): 10 troopers
Troop 3 (Chicago): 9 troopers
Troop 8 (Collinsville): 1 trooper

Troopers earn approximately $90,000 in compensation upon graduating from the academy. Officials encourage those interested in joining the Illinois State Police to visit the Illinois State Police Merit Board website for application information.