Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

The 12-month period beginning April 1 is the Illinois State Police centennial year. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, at a news conference in his office, told a story of an ISP that formed in 1922 to “maintain order and safety on its massive number of newly paved roads.” ISP Director Brendan Kelly said the first class of ISP troopers consisted of eight individuals driving motorcycles “that were left over from the First World War.”

“It's safe to say the Illinois State Police has changed an awful lot since then. As our understanding of public safety has expanded, so too have the duties of the Illinois State P...