Gov. Pritzker Announces New Illinois State Police Metro East Regional Headquarters

 

Gov. Pritzker Announces New Illinois State Police Metro East Regional Headquarters  

New facility will enhance will increase preventive patrol presence, help solve violent crime, and improve regional safety 

EAST ST. LOUIS — Governor JB Pritzker along with state and local leaders announced the location of a new state-of-the-art Illinois State Police (ISP) Metro East Regional Headquarters and the release of capital funding to begin the design process. The regional multi-mission facility will house ISP patrol, investigations, communications, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) resources. Strategically relocating patrol and investigative personnel will increase preventive patrol presence, help solve violent crime, and improve regional safety. 

“Today, we take a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and opportunity of Metro East reflects what its residents deserve – what all of Illinois deserves: a community where all our families can thrive,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This state-of-the-art facility will take a holistic approach to violent crime reduction, making the community safer and establishing an anchor for residential and business investment.” 

Relocating the outdated ISP local offices to a new facility in East St. Louis is a concept that local leaders, activists, and community stakeholders have embraced. It represents an important step forward, synchronizing long-term commitments to reduce crime and utilizing state infrastructure dollars to address historic inequities. The facility, which will be located near Lynch Avenue and Caseyville Avenue, will not only increase a sense of safety for residents, but will be an anchor for new residential and business investment. 

The State of Illinois purchased the land for $1.00 from Lansdowne UP, a private non-profit organization operating since 2008. Lansdowne UP’s stated mission is to transform Lansdowne, East St. Louis, into a thriving neighborhood, ensuring the neighborhood clean is and beautiful while also providing jobs, work force development, and housing for those who call East St. Louis home. The facility will be approximately 62,500 square feet, with an additional single-story, 21,000 square foot warehouse. ISP is working with the Capital Development Board to begin the design phase, in which the community will have an opportunity to provide input. 

The new headquarters stems from Governor Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan bill that gives Illinois its first capital plan in nearly a decade and the most robust in state history. Rebuild Illinois is providing $45 billion worth of investments in roads, bridges, railroads, universities, early childhood centers and state facilities, creating and supporting an estimated 540,000 jobs over the life of the plan and revitalizing local economies across the state.  

It includes $120 million for ISP facilities, the largest capital investment in ISP’s history. This investment is centered around two major projects: a combined forensic, investigative, and patrol facility in the Joliet area, and the Metro East Regional Headquarters in East St. Louis. Approximately $55 million is appropriated for the Metro East multi-year project.  

“Cracking down on crime and bringing safer streets to the people of East St. Louis is a priority for me, and the addition of the ISP district headquarters to our community is sure to be a big step towards accomplishing those goals," said State Rep. LaToya Greenwood, (D-East St. Louis). "Increased involvement from our state police force and the economic stimulus that the construction of their new district headquarters is sure to bring is a victory for our city. I'd like to offer a warm welcome to the brave men and women serving in ISP as well as to thank them for the good work they do keeping all Illinoisans safe." 

To ensure all available property opportunities were explored, ISP issued an Information Inquiry detailing ISP’s needs and minimum criteria for property in the Metro East, which resulted in more than 30 submissions.  Minimum requirements were that the property be no less than 4 acres, able to accommodate both buildings as well as parking, and located in St. Clair County, preferably within 2 miles of the interstate system and within a reasonable walking distance to public transportation. 

  

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