The Illinois State Police Merit Board is responsible for the selection of Illinois State Trooper candidates. Information on becoming an Illinois State Police Trooper
can be found on the Illinois State Police Merit Board websiteOpens in new window.
During the training period, Cadets are furnished lodging, meals, necessary supplies, equipment and receive a monthly salary of $3,968 for the duration of Academy.
As of 7/1/2024, upon successful completion of the Academy, a first year Trooper's base salary is $84,420 which is competitive with other public and private agencies. Salary increases are earned through incremental service longevity steps or promotion in rank.
Personal health and dental insurance are provided at a nominal cost to Cadets. Also, Cadets receive basic life insurance and vision coverage at no cost. Additional
coverage for family members is available at group rates.
Officers may retire from the ISP with pension benefits under the following plans:
Tier 1
This information applies to individuals who became a member of SERS or a reciprocal system on or before December 31, 2010. The alternative formula applies to members
in certain positions with 20 years of alternative service. Members eligible for the alternative formula may retire at age 50 with 25 years of service, or at age 55
with 20 years of service.
Tier 2
This information applies to individuals who became a member of SERS or a reciprocal system after December 31, 2010. The alternative formula applies to members in certain positions with 20 years of alternative service. Members eligible for the alternative formula may retire at age 55 with 20 years of service.
A maximum retirement benefit of 80% of ending salary is earned after 26 years and 8 months of creditable service. For additional questions regarding retirement
information please visit
SRS
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During the first year of service, officers receive 2 weeks of paid vacation, one sick day a month and compensation for working any holiday. Additional vacation days are
earned through service longevity.
Officers may elect to personally participate in a deferred compensation plan offered through the department. This plan includes various investment options which are both
federally and state tax deferred. An annual maximum contribution limit does apply.
Officers are eligible for 12 weeks for maternity/paternity leave for the birth or adoption of each child in their immediate family.
Officers hired after January 1, 2011 with no reciprocal service must have 20 years of service and be age 60 in order to draw their full pension.
Uniforms and necessary equipment items are supplied at no cost to officers prior to academy graduation. An annual clothing/dry cleaning allowance is also provided to officers.
A fully equipped squad car, with department paid fuel and service, is assigned to each officer after reporting to the district of assignment. The vehicle is restricted to
business use only.
Officer Resources
Officers desiring to continue their education may apply for department funded tuition
reimbursement. The tuition reimbursement program is annually funded and dispersed
semi-annually for spring and fall classes. To be eligible, course work must be work
related. Other restrictions may also apply.
Career advancement opportunities are available through the department’s
promotional process. Officers may compete in the promotional process after
successfully completing the probationary period. Promotional rankings are based upon
a combination of written testing scores, performance evaluation results and seniority
in rank.
Officers may compete for a wide variety of specialty positions within the department
when vacancies exist. Depending upon the specialty type and operational need,
vacancies are announced statewide and positions are filled through a competitive
selection process based upon an officer’s expertise and experience.
Officers possess statewide police powers and authority as compared to municipal or
county agencies which have limited/ local jurisdictional authority.
Other support services programs are coordinated through the Human Resource
Bureau. Some of the programs include: Medical Response System, Employee
Assistance Program, Peer Support, Critical Incident and Stress Management.
The Illinois State Police (ISP) has reinstituted the “Fast Track” Program which provides an opportunity for certified police
officers to become Illinois State Troopers through participation in an accelerated training program. The duration
of a Fast Track Cadet Class is approximately 13 weeks. In order to be eligible, applicants must be a current
certified police officer, having graduated from an accredited law enforcement academy, and have at least two
years of experience while employed as a full-time sworn police officer. Applicants will also be required to
provide proof of successfully completing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)/International
Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) approved DWI/DUI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing
training program, or an approved equivalent, prior to starting a Fast Track Class.
Click here
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for a list of accredited law enforcement academies.
Master Sergeant Clausing currently supervises the Recruitment Section and is involved in the promotion and maintenance of the Illinois State Police Recruitment and Internship program statewide. She joined the Illinois State Police in July 2017 after serving at Western Illinois University Police Department for five years. Her previous assignments include: Division of Patrol – District 2 Patrol, Safety Education Officer, Office of the Director – Public Information Office, Division of Patrol Troop 15 Staff Officer, Troop 3 Patrol Sergeant, and the Division of the Academy and Training - Recruitment.
Sergeant Lillard currently serves as the Recruitment Section Social Media Liaison and is involved in the promotion and maintenance of the Illinois State Police Recruitment social media platforms. She promotes and advertises civilian and sworn career opportunities and internship program opportunities. She joined the Illinois State Police in March 2001. Her previous assignments include: Division of Patrol – Troop 15, Division of Patrol – Troop 7, Patrol and Safety Education Officer, Office of the Director – Public Information Office, and the Division of the Academy and Training - Recruitment.
Trooper Purdue currently serves as the Central Recruitment & Internship Coordinator and is involved in assisting with the promotion and maintenance of the Illinois State Police Recruitment and Internship program in the central part of the State. He joined the Illinois State Police in May of 2009. His previous assignments include: Division of Patrol – District 18; Division of Patrol – District 9; Division of the Academy and Training – Physical Skills Bureau, and the Division of the Academy and Training – Recruitment Bureau. Trooper Purdue served in the United States Navy for 6 years. While in the Illinois State Police he received the honor of Trooper of the Year in 2016 for District 9.
Trooper Jacobs currently serves as the Central Recruitment Specialist and is involved in the promotion and maintenance of the Illinois State Police Recruitment in the central part of the State. He joined the Illinois State Police in November 2013. His previous assignments include: Division of Patrol – District 7; Division of Patrol – District 20; Division of Forensic Services – Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit, and the Division of the Academy and Training – Recruitment Bureau. Trooper Jacobs is a 28-year Veteran of the United States Army Reserve and a recipient of the Illinois State Police Medal of Valor.
Sergeant Nettles currently serves as the Northern Recruitment & Internship Coordinator and is involved in assisting with the promotion and maintenance of the Illinois State Police Recruitment and Internship program in the northern part of the State. He joined the Illinois State Police in September of 2012. His previous assignment include: Division of Patrol – Troop 3 and Division of Academy and Training – Recruitment Section. Trooper Nettles worked in various units and is a recipient of the Illinois State Police Problem Solving ribbon.
Trooper Williams currently serves as the Northern Recruitment Specialist and is involved in the promotion and maintenance of the Illinois State Police Recruitment and Internship program in the northern part of the state. He joined the Illinois State Police in February 2018. His previous assignments include: Division of Patrol – District 5, Division of Academy and Training – Cadet Class Counselor, Division of Academy and Training – Practical Exercises Specialist, Division of Academy and Training – Recruitment Section, and Division of Internal Investigation – Northern Command Special Agent.
Trooper Ampier currently serves as the Southern Recruitment Specialist and is involved in the promotion and maintenance of the Illinois State Police Recruitment in the southern part of the State. She joined the Illinois State Police in October 2022. Her previous assignments include: Division of Patrol – Troop 8 and the Division of the Academy and Training – Recruitment Bureau. Trooper Ampier is currently serving and has been in the Illinois Army National Guard for over 15 years.
Cadet Family Orientation Program
The Recruitment Unit instituted the Cadet Family Orientation Program which is designed to provide both the Cadet and their family members a broad overview of the Academy environment, training protocols and the daily activities of an ISP Cadet, prior to the start of training. A primary focus of the Cadet Family Orientation program is to encourage the establishment of support systems between Cadets, significant others, and family members, as they start their careers with the ISP.
