Illinois State Police Joins Historically Black Colleges and Universities at the Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2026
September 8, 2026
CHICAGO – The Illinois State Police (ISP) will join Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at the upcoming Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field as part of our ongoing effort to recruit qualified applicants and connect with the community in a fun and engaging way.
On September 11, 2026, the Classic will be hosting its HBCU College and Career Fair at the Soldier Field United Club from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ISP recruiters will be available to talk with interested applicants about career and internship opportunities for both police and civilian positions. The free event is open to all students and families.
On September 12, 2026, at 3 p.m., the Chicago Football Classic game will take place with a matchup between two HBCU’s – the Lincoln University Lions and the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils. ISP’s Honor Guard will participate in the pre-game procession and have the honor of presenting the colors before kick-off. The halftime show will feature a Battle of the Bands competition between the two schools’ marching bands.
ISP’s participation in the HBCU recruiting event aligns with ISP’s newest initiative, ISP Outreach: Expanding the Badge. The initiative is designed to highlight the career opportunities ISP offers in an effort to hire qualified officers and professional staff who represent the communities we serve. ISP has attended dozens of career fairs and hosted three of its own already in 2026. One ISP event focused on educating current and past military members and their families about opportunities to translate the skills they learned while serving their country into a new career as Troopers serving and pursuing justice for the people of Illinois. Another event highlighted the women of ISP, with officers of all ranks available to speak about career opportunities in forensics, patrol, investigations, and other ISP work units.
ISP is currently accepting applications until September 15, 2026 for its next traditional cadet class, scheduled to start in May 2027. The January 2028 cadet class application window will be open from September 16, 2026 to April 1, 2027. For more information on eligibility requirements and the selection process, or to apply – visit www.IllinoisTrooper.com.
See you at the Classic!
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