Vella Celebrates 100th Anniversary of the Illinois State Police, Pledges to Continue to Support Law Enforcement

ROCKFORD, Ill. – State Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, is highlighting the 100th anniversary of the Illinois State Police (ISP) and the work that they do in conjunction with local law enforcement to keep communities across Illinois safe.

“After 100 years of dedication to serving and protecting our state, the Illinois State Police have more than proven that they are an essential part of keeping residents throughout our state safe,” said Vella. “I congratulate the Illinois State Police for their 100th anniversary, and I look forward to working with them to ensure that they have the resources they need to serve our state for 100 more.”

ISP was created on April 1, 1922 as the Illinois State Highway Police. To highlight their achievement, Vella supported the bipartisan House Resolution 752, which honors ISP for their work in Illinois over the years.

Since entering the General Assembly, Vella has been a strong supporter of the law enforcement community. He introduced legislation this year creating a program that pays for the college tuition of students who pledge to work in their local communities for at least four years as a law enforcement officer. In addition, Vella worked to secure millions of dollars to help local law enforcement agencies pay for equipment such as dash cameras and new emergency vehicles.

“There is nothing more important than the safety of our community, and supporting our law enforcement agencies is a critical piece of protecting residents,” said Vella. “While we have made progress in supporting our police, there is still work that needs to be done, and I look forward to working with local law enforcement to ensure they are getting the support they need to do their jobs and keep us safe.”