With some changes to their requirements, the Illinois State Police (ISP) feel the number of applications for jobs will increase greatly.

The biggest change happens in January, when applicants will only need an Associate’s Degree to become an Illinois State Trooper.

Special Agent and Recruitment Specialist Bethe Hughes said she expects the new requirements to increase the pool of candidates.

“Actually, I’ve talked with recruitment specialists from other states, and those that use the Associate’s [Degree only] find that they have a wider pool of people to choose from, and the diversity of people that they can get, actually, is raised,” she said.

The organization hopes to have 2,200 troopers by 2022, which would coincide with the Illinois State Police’s 100th anniversary.

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