State Police Merit Board, Illinois
Board and Commission Details
Contact Name
Emily Fox
Contact Title
Executive Director
Function
The Board certifies qualified applicants for appointment to the State Police force; classifies officers, and sets standards and qualifications for each rank; authorizes promotions, demotions, suspensions and other disciplinary action.
Term
Board members shall be appointed to four-year terms. No member shall be appointed to more than 2 terms.
Senate Confirmation
Yes
Party Affiliation
Yes
Qualifications
In making the appointments, the Governor shall make a good faith effort to appoint members reflecting the geographic, ethic, and cultural diversity of this State. In making the appointments, the Governor should also consider appointing: persons with professional backgrounds, possessing legal, management, personnel, or labor experience; at least one member with at least 10 years of experience as a licensed physician or clinical psychologist with expertise in mental health; and at least one member affiliated with an organization commitment to social and economic rights and to eliminating discrimination. In order to avoid actual conflicts of interest, or the appearance of conflicts of interest, no board member shall be a retired or former employee of the Illinois State Police. When a Board member may have an actual, perceived, or potential conflict of interest that could prevent the Board member from making a fair and impartial decision on a complaint or formal complaint against an Illinois State Police officer, the Board member shall recuse himself or herself; or If the Board member fails to recuse himself or herself, then the Board may, by a simple majority, vote to recuse the Board member. No more than 4 from the same political party.
Compensation
Chair & Members $280 per diem, not to exceed $25,400 per annum
Composition
7 appointed by Governor with advice and consent of the Senate
Chair
Elected by the Board for 2-year terms
Authority
20 ILCS 2610/3
Member Names
| Name | Member Expiration | Member Since | Affiliation | Appointed By | Position | Title | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrera, Michelle Dawn | 03/03/2026 | 01/03/2023 | Democrat | Governor | Member | ||
| VACANT | 03/19/2024 | Governor | Member | ||||
| Stiehl, William David | 03/19/2027 | 01/13/2023 | Republican | Governor | Member | St. Clair | |
| Touhy, Timothy | 03/21/2026 | 07/08/2022 | Independent | Governor | Member | Cook | |
| Hoy-Watkins, Michelle | 03/17/2025 | 09/20/2024 | Democrat | Governor | Member | Clinical Psychologist | Cook |
| Garcia, Raymond | 03/28/2026 | 03/28/2022 | Democrat | Governor | Member | Winnebago | |
| Flowers, Linda J. | 11/25/2028 | 11/25/2024 | Democrat | Governor | Member | Jackson |