JoAnn Johnson - First African American female promoted to Colonel in the history of the Illinois State Police.

On January 5, 1990, JoAnn D. Johnson graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy (ISPA) in Cadet Class 84. Johnson was assigned to District 2 in Elgin and later transferred to Zone 1 General Criminal in Elgin in March of 1995. In 1996, she was assigned to the North Central Narcotics Task Force where she worked narcotics investigations in Kane, DuPage, and DeKalb Counties. While in the Task Force, Johnson received her first promotion to the rank of Sergeant in 2001. In 2005, Johnson was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant while in the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). In 2008, Johnson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant within District 15 in Downers Grove. In 2010, Johnson returned to the ISPA serving in the Curriculum Section. In 2011, Johnson was asked to serve as the Interim Chief in the EEO. In 2013, Johnson was promoted to Captain and appointed as the Lieutenant Colonel in the Division of Internal Investigation (DII). In 2016, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was appointed to the rank of Colonel of DII and was the first African American female to attain the rank. After serving the ISP and the citizens of the State of Illinois for 28 years, Johnson retired on February 1, 2018.

Delia Diamond - First African American female promoted to the rank of Captain and Lieutenant Colonel in the Illinois State Police.

On February 14, 1983, Delia “De” Diamond (Right) graduated from the Illinois State Police Academy. Diamond was assigned to District 6 in Pontiac and later transferred to District 4 in Crestwood. In 1989, Diamond was assigned as the Recruiter Coordinator for the Agency and received her first promotion to the rank of Sergeant. While serving in the role as the fourth Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Manager, Diamond was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant in 1994. In 1996, Diamond transferred to Division of Forensic Services as an Assistant Commander. In 1998, Diamond was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Diamond was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2002, becoming the first African American female Captain in the history of the ISP. In March 2008, Diamond became the first African American female in the ISP to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After serving the ISP and the citizens of the State of Illinois for 28 years, Diamond officially retired on July 1, 2011.