Guerrero-Cuellar Expands ISP Eligibility

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar, D-Chicago, moved to improve eligibility for the Illinois State Police (ISP) and its college degree requirements under a new law passed in the House last week. 

“Current and former service members have done more than enough to be eligible to join the ISP’s ranks,” Guerrero-Cuellar said. “By expanding this eligibility, we are opening up new opportunities for discharged service members to gain employment and apply their skills to keeping Illinoisans safe.” 

Guerrero-Cuellar’s House Bill 2475 expands the military service that could be used to exempt applicants from the requirement that Illinois State Police Officers have a college degree. An applicant can receive this exemption if they’ve received one of the following service medals: Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia or Kuwait), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, or Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The college degree exemption currently exists for those who’ve received the Southwest Asia Service medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, among other medals. 

House Bill 2475 passed unanimously out of both the House and the Police & Fire Committee. The bill now moves to the Senate.

“Our state’s law enforcement agencies deserve the full support and resources of our state government, and we can give them that support with this legislation,” Guerrero-Cuellar said. “I am excited to keep working on this in the Senate and continue my commitment to our service members and state law enforcement.”