Employment

More Information on Becoming a Trooper

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.

ISP New Pay 2024
ISP Women in Policing 2024
ISP Lateral Transfer Update 2024

Trooper Benefits and Resources

Benefits

  • 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 Opens in new window .

  • 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 Opens in new window for a list of accredited law enforcement academies.

Meet a Recruiter

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  • Master Sergeant December Melville
  • Central Recruitment/Recruitment Bureau Manager
  • December.Melville@illinois.gov

Acting Master Sergeant Melville currently serves as the Recruitment Bureau Manager. The Recruitment Bureau Manager is involved in the promotion and maintenance of the statewide Illinois State Police Recruitment and Internship program. She joined the Illinois State Police in June 2006. Her previous assignments include: Division of Patrol, - Troop 5; Division of Forensic Services – Crime Scene Services Command; and Central Recruitment/Internship Coordinator the Division of the Academy and Training – Recruitment Bureau.

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  • Sergeant Tracy Lillard
  • Social Media Liaison
  • Tracy.Lillard@illinois.gov

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 and Internship program in the central part of the state. 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.

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  • Sergeant Omoayena Williams
  • Central Recruitment/Internship Coordinator
  • Omoayena.Williams@illinois.gov

Sergeant Williams currently serves as the Central Recruitment/Internship Coordinator and is involved in the promotion and maintenance of the Illinois State Police Recruitment and Internship program in the central part of the state. She joined the Illinois State Police in September 2010. Her previous assignments include: Division of Patrol – Troop 3; Office of the Director-Public Information Office and the Division of the Academy and Training – Recruitment Bureau.

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  • Trooper Marcus Nettles
  • Northern Recruitment Specialist
  • Marcus.Nettles@illinois.gov

Trooper Nettles currently serves as the Northern Recruitment Specialist 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 February 2018. His previous assignments include: Division of Patrol – Troop 3, Division of Academy and Training – Cadet Class Counselor, Division of Academy and Training – Practical Exercises Specialist, and Division of Academy and Training – Recruitment Section.

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  • Sergeant Maurice Austin
  • Southern Recruitment/Internship Coordinator
  • Maurice.Austin@illinois.gov

Sergeant Maurice Austin currently serves as the Southern Recruitment/Internship Coordinator and is involved in the promotion and maintenance of the Illinois State Police Recruitment and Internship program in the southern part of the state. He joined the Illinois State Police in July 2017. His previous assignments include: Division of Patrol – Troop 3 & Troop 8, Division of Criminal Investigation – Zone 6 Major Crimes & the Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG), and the Division of the Academy and Training – Recruitment Bureau.

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.