Carbondale Reporter

In a Feb. 23 Facebook post, Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) shared a news article about a shift in staffing at the Illinois State Police.

“ISP said the new patrol structure will allow the organization to better meet the needs of the public while combating a shortage of law enforcement officers across the country,” he wrote on Facebook.

In his Facebook post, Jacobs shared a link to a Herald-Whig article that focused on the changes. 

"This modernization enables ISP officers to more efficiently engage in areas of greatest need, with high crash or crime rates, and drug trafficking," ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said. "This model also puts ISP patrol on equal footing with other state patrols based on crime, population, and crash data analysis, rather than outdated habits or practices."

The ISP explained the reasons behind the reorganization in a Feb. 24 Facebook post. “On January 1, 2023, ISP reorganized from 21 patrol Districts across the state to 11 patrol troops. The establishment of these troops will allow ISP to refine its focus on violent crimes, continue its mission to reduce traffic fatalities, and schedule officers to respond to calls for service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.”

As part of the reorganization, troops will be identified with a new license plate. Those plates will be on vehicles on March 1. The Illinois Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias, told WREX that thew new plate are a tribute to fallen officers, with images of the state of Illinois seal, saluting troopers, and the landscape of Illinois. “This plate pays special tribute to officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty. Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones of these officers who devoted their lives to protecting their communities. Their bravery and dedication will never be forgotten.”