State Police break ground on canine facility

The Illinois State Police (ISP) and Capital Development Board (CDB) broke ground on a new canine training complex at Pawnee. ​

The $8.9 million state investment consists of two new buildings, including upgraded kennels, training areas, and office space. ​

“Here in Illinois, we’re proud to support our State Police as they take innovative steps to reduce crime and protect the People of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. ​ “Upgrading ISP canine training facilities ensures officers and canines alike are well-equipped to keep drugs and guns off the street, solve missing persons cases, and make our communities safer.”

With steady and supportive funding from the Pritzker administration and the General Assembly, the ISP canine training facilities, which support law enforcement agencies across the state, will be upgraded for the first time in decades.

“The Illinois State Police Academy provides the best training to our officers, and the new canine training complex will ensure our canine partners receive the best training as well,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. ​ “As our focus has expanded from traffic to trafficking, we’ve increased the tools in our toolbox, including the use of canines. ​ Our canine partners are integral in our work to combat crime, conduct search and rescue missions, and protect the public.”

As methods used by criminals have evolved in recent years, ISP has responded by incorporating new technology and techniques to combat crime, including the increased use of canines. ​ ISP provides a 10-week, full-service canine training course to both ISP Troopers, as well as local law enforcement agencies. ​ Included in those 10 weeks, canines are trained to track human odors. ​ This allows canines to locate criminals attempting to evade arrest and help in missing persons cases. ​

ISP currently has 64 canine teams that assist with missing person searches, drug and gun interdiction, officer protection, and evidence recovery. ​ In 2025, ISP canines assisted in almost 100 criminal apprehensions, 225 searches for items, more than 330 building searches (narcotics, person, explosives), almost 200 stolen vehicle recoveries, 117 firearm seizures, and the seizure of more than 3,600 pounds in illegal drugs.

Upgrades to the canine training complex include construction of an administrative building with office space for up to 80 personnel and additional classroom areas, as well as a kennel that can house up to 20 canines and allow for both indoor and outdoor training.