ILLINOIS STATE POLICE WELCOMES NEW TROOPERS OF CADET CLASS 151

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2025

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) welcomed 21 new Troopers today from Cadet Class 151 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. ​ The new Troopers will report to seven ISP Troop locations throughout the state on Sunday, December 21, 2025. ​ Cadet Class 151 marks the 23^rd cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker and ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. ​ Since 2019, 713 troopers have joined ISP.

“I am proud to congratulate each member of Cadet Class 151 on their graduation, and I commend their enduring commitment the people of our great state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This class embodies the core principles of the Illinois State Police, and they will serve and protect Illinois with integrity and pride.”

“Becoming a police officer is a decision these individuals made years ago, dedicating themselves to serving and protecting their communities,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. ​ “However, it was by walking through the Illinois State Police Academy doors 11 weeks ago that they began the next step of their journey, joining one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the country, and I am proud to call them Troopers with the Illinois State Police.”

Cadet Class 151 was a lateral entry academy class in which 21 certified police officers who previously graduated from an accredited law enforcement academy and had at least two years of experience while employed as a full-time officer completed an 11-week ISP program. ​ The program consists of physical and classroom instruction, which includes training in Cultural Diversity, Procedural Justice, Domestic Violence, Critical Incident Response, De-escalation Tactics, Firearms, First Responder Certification, Control and Arrest Tactics, Illinois Vehicle Code, Criminal Law, Motor Carrier Safety, Juvenile Law, and more. ​

In addition to the 11-week academy training, these Troopers are required to participate in one-on-one mentoring with Field Training Officers in their assigned Troop as part of the 14-week field training program, expanding their total training to 25 weeks. ​ Troopers who successfully complete the field training program advance to solo-patrol status. ​ ​

The new officers are assigned to the following areas of the state and will immediately begin their patrol duties:

New Troopers earn approximately $90,000 in compensation upon graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy. ​ Anyone interested in joining the ranks of Illinois State Police is encouraged to visit the Illinois State Police Merit Board website at www.illinoistrooper.com for application information.

###