* Joseph Bustos at the BND…
St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly is set to have a new job.
Gov. J.B. Pritztker is nominating Kelly to be director of the Illinois State Police, the administration confirmed to the Belleville News-Democrat.
Kelly, who has been state’s attorney since 2010, ran for Congress in this most recent election. Kelly, of Swansea, lost to incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, and was a top Democratic recruit. […]
“This governor and his team are very serious about governing and very serious about public safety,” Kelly said. “There’s already ongoing conversations about how do we confront the challenges we have about forensics and other manpower issues and I’m very excited to be able to serve with the men and women of the state police and this team which is trying to reach out to both sides of the aisle … to do the work hard work of governing and there’s nothing more important for government to do then to make sure we provide for justice and safety and the Illinois state police is at the heart of that in this state.”
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:28 am:
Great pick. Kelly has been a leader downstate on criminal justice issues.
- I Miss Bentohs - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:33 am:
I will admit I have not followed who leads ISP but is it unusual that the person is not a former State Police Officer?
- Former ISP wife - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:34 am:
@I Miss Bentohs Not at all unusual, in fact, most common.
- Moist von Lipwig - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:36 am:
Fantastic choice! And one day, newspapers will learn how to spell JB’s last name! (I still have my Trib copy, with “Pritzer”)
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:36 am:
==it unusual that the person is not a former State Police Officer?==
Not unusual for someone who has not been an ISP officer (Leo Schmitz was not), but it is unusual, and a risk IMO, to appoint someone who has not been a law enforcement officer in any capacity. The last one didnt go over too well. We’ll have to see with Kelly.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:38 am:
Very astute pick, as Kelly ran a respectable campaign against Bost, is well respected, and brings in a southern Illinois Democrat into the administration in an important role. Covers many bases.
Also good on Kelly. His age, experience, and savvy, this isn’t a last stop gig but a building block.
- illini - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:40 am:
Excellent selection. I think it is fair to say that you can learn a lot about a person by looking at those he appoints or selects to advise him.
- New Slang - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:41 am:
Well. He’d become (if confirmed) only the 3rd prosecutor to head the ISP.
- KeyToTheCity - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:45 am:
Between playing in the Lawrence arms and running the nihilist_arbys Twitter account, he’s gonna be a busy guy
- Interested Observer - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:47 am:
Kelly has been an important leader in criminal justice at the state and local level, helping to inform and drive smart and effective law and policy. I hope at ISP he’ll be able to continue to have this broader influence.
- illini - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:49 am:
If I am not mistaken, many years ago James Zagel was a prosecutor who was selected to lead the ISP. He was eventually appointed to become a Federal Judge, and remains one to this day.
- Humboldt - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 9:51 am:
Key, the audience for that joke among Capitol Fax readers has to be a very very tiny one.
Not that it matters. Eat Arby’s
- Down home girl - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:01 am:
Kelly has included law enforcement stakeholders every step of his path as State’s Attorney. As evidenced throughout his remarkable congressional campaign, he has always respected their needs and ideas on tackling major issues like domestic violence, criminal and social justice, the opioid crisis just to name a few.
Shame he didn’t oust Bost. We need more leaders like him in high places. So I am VERY relieved to see he’s answered the call to protect and defend this great state.
- Regular democrat - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:05 am:
Im curious why the bench is so thin at isp. This is the 3rd consecutive non isp (maybe more?) Director. Politics seems to giude the choice
- Fatty Catty - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:06 am:
Great pick by JB and Team. Saw a lot of Kelly campaign in deep Southern Illinois. Anyone that talks to him knows his passion for LEO and justice. Not the last we hear of Kelly.
- Minnie Pearl Jam - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:08 am:
Good choice by Pritzker (again).
Kelly has led the States Attorneys’ efforts on fighting opioid addiction and the crimes that follow and bring the addicts into the courtroom. ISP is crucial partner in these efforts.
- Retired ISP COmmander - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:08 am:
It’s been a while but not unusual for ISP to be led by a prosecutor. James Zagle, now a federal judge best known for Blago trial, and Jeremy Margolis we’re both federal prosecutors before being appointed ISP directors.
I wish Brendan and the ISP much success and believe the ISP is in good hands. I am confident he will uphold the ISP motto of: Integrity, Service and Pride.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:13 am:
==Im curious why the bench is so thin at isp.==
There’s a lot of administration and policy work in the top job. You don’t always build up those skills in the rest of the organization.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:28 am:
Kelly is an outstanding pick.
Pritzker is sticking to “all of illinois”
The top job is more on the administrative/policy side and an accomplished prosecutor is well-equipped for it.
- Nerd - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:51 am:
Solid choice by Pritzker. Great to have downstate represented among statewide leadership.
More importantly, Kelly is a born leader, and as State’s Attorney has already proven his passion for justice. ISP is lucky to have him.
- Chicagonk - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:56 am:
Hopefully he advocates for improving the turnaround time and backlog at the crime labs. I think that should be the number one priority for the Illinois State Police.
- Blue Dog Dem - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 10:56 am:
Solid pick. Brendan. Work on that FOID card turnaround.
Anxiously awaiting IDNR pick. Fingers crossed.
- Belden Ave. - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:45 am:
There was also a young former assistant federal prosecutor who became US attorney for the Northern District named Dan Webb that headed the ISP
- dr. reason a, goodwin - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 11:54 am:
Good choice. I was impressed with Kelly’s congressional campaign.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:01 pm:
I think some of you are confusing this position with others and the history of who was actually head of ISP. I don’t recall Dan Webb, for instance, ever being one of them.
- prairiestatedem - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:29 pm:
Congrats to Brendan, he is a great choice and can provide the needed leadership to unite law enforcement and work with other agencies around the state. Military and Prosecutorial experience, though not direct law enforcement operations will give him the experience to help move ISP forward and make our state a safer place.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:47 pm:
Love me some Kelly. He’s a local hero
- Leave a light on George - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 12:47 pm:
He will certainly do well at the many press conferences he’ll call.
- proudstatetrooper - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 1:32 pm:
Although I’m okay with this pick, the State Police have (and had) many sworn Command Officers that would make a good Director. I hope Director Kelly takes advantage of the those and not the political house mouse empty holsters we’ve had in the past.
- Montana Peak - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 2:04 pm:
Didn’t Ty Fahner and Dan Webb both serve as Thompson’s Director of the State Department of Law Enforcement
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-01-13-8501030321-story.html
- SW - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 3:25 pm:
He can start by getting more persons to answer phone calls. It is impossible to get through to a person to discuss FOID cards and CCW permits.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 3:47 pm:
-Im curious why the bench is so thin at isp-
My perception is that after spending years climbing a ladder at the agency, who would want to take a high-risk, high-profile role for, likely, only a four-year period? This is why we don’t often see interest from career managers within state agencies putting forward their resumes for the top job.
- Winderweezle - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 4:03 pm:
Excellent choice. Our new Governor is earning my respect in leaps and bounds. I am hopeful again for Illinois government.
- Jasper - Tuesday, Jan 22, 19 @ 7:08 pm:
Illinois Democratic machine rewarding losers
- Regular democrat - Wednesday, Jan 23, 19 @ 9:23 pm:
I have worked alongside many isp officers in last 30 years and tjose guys are sharp well trained and excellent policeman. Im sure some if the upper command would jump at chance to be director. Last few gov turned it in to a patronage job and its sad. Doesnt help morale and drives good people in to retirement which leaves an experience gap.