The number of state troopers in Illinois has fallen nearly 20 percent over two decades, leaving fewer officers to patrol the roadways, investigate shootings and oversee the concealed carry program, reports the Chicago Tribune. The decline has been long and steady, with spending cuts, a wave of retirements, new policing responsibilities and the a state budget impasse all contributing. The death of three troopers this year when other motorists crashed into them has raised the question: Are there enough officers out there to discourage reckless driving and keep the roads safe? “This is a gradual deterioration that has occurred in both Democratic and Republican administrations,” said Brendan Kelly, acting director of Illinois State Police. “While that has happened, the responsibilities and duties set forth by the legislature have only grown.”
Efforts to rebuild the department are under way. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has proposed allocating more than $7 million to train two new cadet classes at the state police academy. Agency leaders are trying to think up creative ideas to entice more applicants, such as producing flashy recruitment videos and reconsidering educational requirements for the job. Kelly said he is open to a proposal that would do away with a four-year degree requirement for recruits, instead requiring them to obtain an associate degree. Kelly, who was appointed by Pritzker to head the agency, said sworn troopers are now performing more administrative and personnel work because the agency’s civilian workforce has taken a hit. That means that even fewer troopers are available to patrol roadways and enforce traffic laws. In some cases, the shortages have required troopers to mow lawns and shovel snow because there is no one else to do it. In 2018, the Illinois State Police employed 1,794 sworn troopers, way down from the 2,201 troopers in 2001.