Illinois State Police
Statewide, Illinois
How we verified this
The RR STARCOM21 system db shows routine ISP troop talkgroups in clear digital mode 'D' (and live Broadcastify ISP troop feeds are online) while DCI investigations and Tactical Response Team talkgroups (e.g. 13052 'D9 DCI Ops', 9092 'ISP TRT Z1A') are marked 'D Enc' — matching the listed tactical/investigations-only encryption scope.
Encryption Details
What This Means
Only the tactical side is locked down at this agency — SWAT callouts and sensitive operations. Routine dispatch traffic can still come through on a scanner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Illinois State Police radio encrypted?
Yes — Illinois State Police's radio system runs on P25 AES-256 encryption. Only the tactical side is locked down at this agency — SWAT callouts and sensitive operations. Routine dispatch traffic can still come through on a scanner.
Can I listen to Illinois State Police on a police scanner?
Partially. Illinois State Police encrypts its tactical channels, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Illinois State Police encrypt their radio?
Ask why, and the answer is usually officer safety, sometimes operational security. What is harder to obtain is any documented case in Statewide County where an open channel caused harm. The costs need no such documentation: reporting on police department response slows down, and mutual-aid coordination gets more awkward, immediately.
Can Statewide County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Whoever made this call for Illinois State Police can also unmake it; there's no technical lock-in. The approach that has worked elsewhere combines public-records requests, direct council pressure, and a coordinated local coalition.
What can I do about Illinois State Police encryption?
Contact the officials who oversee Illinois State Police's budget directly and ask why full encryption was chosen over partial alternatives. Pair that with a FOIA request for recordings and policy records, and look for an existing coalition in Statewide County, or start one, since agencies respond differently to organized, sustained pressure than to individual complaints.