Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police

What Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police does

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) is a nonprofit professional association founded in 1941 and headquartered at 426 S. 5th Street, Springfield, Illinois. It represents more than 1,400 law enforcement leaders across the state, including police chiefs, deputy chiefs, commanders, and equivalent executive staff from municipal police departments, sheriff's offices, college and university police departments, and conservation and forest preserve police. The organization's core offerings are the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP), a two-tier (Tier I: 69 standards; Tier II: 181 standards) voluntary accreditation framework with 74 currently accredited agencies; the Voluntary Police Chief Certification (VPCC) program, which has credentialed 103 individuals since its 1996 launch; and fee-based Executive Search and Assessment Center services for municipalities recruiting police chiefs. Supporting programs include Funeral Assistance Team protocols, Speed Awareness Day, the Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge, a Women's Leadership Section, a PIO Section, and the upcoming Illinois Public Safety Leadership Institute (IPSLI) for civilian public safety leaders.

Revenue is generated through a portfolio of recurring membership dues, accreditation fees ($500-$1,000 annually per agency after initial fees of $1,500-$3,000), certification fees ($450-$550 initial, $200 renewals), conference and training fees, executive search retainers, and corporate sponsorships from Axon, Motorola Solutions, LexisNexis, and PowerDMS. The ILEAP program is operationally coupled with PowerDMS, which is mandatory for all agencies applying after September 1, 2021 and provides discounted pricing to ILACP members; this integration reduces file-building time by approximately 50% and supports remote assessment. The association publishes the quarterly COMMAND Magazine, hosts annual conferences (the ILACP Training Conference, Midwest Security and Police Conference/Expo, Midwest Traffic Safety Conference), and runs eTraining webinars. It maintains high-profile partnerships including the Ten Shared Principles initiative with the NAACP Illinois State Conference (2018, now adopted by 335+ agencies) and the ILACP Foundation's We Never Walk Alone wellness partnership.

Distribution is exclusively direct and regional: member agencies engage through the ilchiefs.org website, a MemberClicks member portal, the ILACP mobile app, and in-person conferences and assessment events. No public API exists, and the organization does not disclose revenue or operate any technology platform of its own; its technology strategy centers on integrating best-of-breed vendors (MemberClicks, PowerDMS) into a services-led membership model.

Name

Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police

Legal name

Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police

Website

https://ilchiefs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police is a 1941-founded nonprofit professional association representing 1,400+ Illinois law enforcement leaders, delivering voluntary agency accreditation, individual police chief certification, executive search services, training conferences, and community-policing partnerships across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from over 1,400 law enforcement leaders representing police chiefs, deputy chiefs, and command staff throughout Illinois.
2. ILEAP Accreditation Fees: Tier I agencies pay $1,500 initial fee plus $500 annual; Tier II agencies pay $3,000 initial fee plus $1,000 annual (effective Jan 1, 2025).
3. Police Chief Certification Fees: Initial certification: $450 for ILACP members, $550 for non-members. Renewals: $200 for current chiefs, $100 for retired.
4. Conference and Training Fees: Revenue from annual training conferences, the Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge Awards Breakfast ($30 general admission), and eTraining/webinars.
5. Executive Search Services: Fee-based recruitment and assessment services for municipalities seeking new police chiefs or command staff, in operation since 1996.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police is a statewide professional membership association that provides law enforcement agency accreditation (ILEAP), individual executive certification (VPCC), executive search and assessment services for municipalities, and a portfolio of training conferences, publications, and community-police partnership programs to over 1,400 law enforcement leaders across Illinois. The organization also partners with the NAACP Illinois State Conference on the Ten Shared Principles initiative and operates the ILACP Foundation for first responder wellness.

Product overview

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) is a professional membership organization representing over 1,400 law enforcement leaders. Its core offerings include the ILEAP accreditation program for agencies, the Voluntary Police Chief Certification Program for individual executives, and Executive Search/Assessment services for municipalities. Supporting programs include the Funeral Assistance Team, Speed Awareness Day, Traffic Safety Challenge, and Command Magazine publication. The organization hosts multiple annual conferences and training events including the Midwest Security and Police Conference/Expo and ILACP Training Conference. It also offers educational resources through the Hero's Journey program and promotes community policing through the Ten Shared Principles initiative with the NAACP.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ILEAP (Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program): State accreditation program for Illinois law enforcement agencies with two tiers of standards (Tier One: 69 standards; Tier Two: 181 standards)
• VPCC (Voluntary Police Chief Certification Program)
• ILACP Foundation

Products and services

• ILEAP (Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program) A voluntary, two-tier accreditation program for Illinois law enforcement agencies that evaluates policies and procedures against established professional standards covering Administration, Operations, Personnel, and Training. Tier One has 69 standards; Tier Two has 181 standards. Accreditation is valid for four years, requires annual reports, and is delivered with mandatory PowerDMS digital file management. Pricing: Tier I $1,500 initial + $500 annual; Tier II $3,000 initial + $1,000 annual.
• Voluntary Police Chief Certification Program (VPCC) Professional certification program for police chiefs, deputy chiefs, commanders, and executive command staff that demonstrates competency in leadership, ethics, management, community relations, and communication. Requires professional experience, education, written exam, oral interview, ethics statement, and background check. Initial: $450 ILACP members / $550 non-members; Renewals: $200 current chiefs / $100 retired.
• Executive Searches and Assessment Centers Fee-based recruitment and assessment services for Illinois municipalities, colleges, and government agencies seeking new police chiefs or command staff. Service includes job description development, advertising, application review, and full-day assessment center exercises that evaluate six dimensions of leadership.
• COMMAND Magazine Quarterly publication for ILACP members covering law enforcement leadership, best practices, ILEAP accreditation, and professional development topics, including the Spring 2026 issue.
• ILACP Training Conference Annual training conference for Illinois law enforcement professionals, held in spring (e.g., 2026 Springfield event April 29 - May 1). Features breakout sessions, keynote speakers, and exhibitor booths for professional development and networking.
• 2026 Midwest Security and Police Conference/Expo Annual two-day conference and expo for law enforcement professionals, held in August at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Aggregates law enforcement technology vendors and training content for Illinois agencies.
• Midwest Traffic Safety Conference Annual three-day conference for traffic safety professionals held in November at a regional venue, supporting Illinois traffic safety program development.
• Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge Awards Breakfast Annual awards program and breakfast recognizing excellence in traffic safety among Illinois law enforcement agencies, held at the Tinley Park Convention Center with $30 general admission tickets.
• ILACP Membership Annual individual membership for Illinois police chiefs, deputy chiefs, commanders, and command staff providing access to all association programs, publications, training, networking, and advocacy services. The organization has more than 1,400 member leaders from agencies statewide.

Quantifiable outcome

• ILEAP accreditation reduces agency file-building time by 50% or more when using PowerDMS
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and flagship.

• PowerDMScoreTechnology or Integration · 18 August 2021Established mandatory partnership in August 2021 requiring all ILEAP-accredited agencies to use PowerDMS software for accreditation file management. PowerDMS enables remote file review, eliminates paper/printing costs, and reduces agency file-building time by 50% or more. ILACP negotiated discounted pricing for member agencies.
• We Never Walk AlonemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between ILACP Foundation and We Never Walk Alone program supporting First Responders Wellness Initiative. Collaboration aims to provide wellness resources and support for law enforcement officers and first responders.
• Illinois Secretary of State's OfficemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating with Illinois Secretary of State's office and ILACP to develop training programs and promote best practices around LPR (License Plate Reader) use and data compliance. Partnership formed in response to concerns about out-of-state agencies accessing Illinois LPR data.
• Flock SafetyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLPR technology provider collaborating with ILACP on developing training programs and promoting best practices around license plate reader technology use and data compliance in Illinois.
• NAACP Illinois State ConferenceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric partnership established March 22, 2018 developing and endorsing Ten Shared Principles for relationship between law enforcement and communities. Conducted joint leadership gatherings (World Cafes and 'Let's Talk' sessions) with 274 total leaders participating. Unique nationwide model for police-community collaboration.
• LexisNexisminorOthersTechnology sponsor supporting ILACP programs and events. LexisNexis provides legal research and law enforcement intelligence solutions.
• AxonminorOthersLaw enforcement technology sponsor providing body cameras, tasers, and evidence management solutions. Supports ILACP through sponsorship of programs.
• Motorola SolutionsminorOthersCommunications technology sponsor supporting ILACP programs. Motorola provides two-way radios and public safety communications solutions.
• ILORCA (Illinois Organization of Police Associations)minorOthersStatewide police organization sponsor supporting ILACP events and initiatives.
• SourcewellminorOthersGovernment purchasing cooperative sponsor supporting ILACP through vendor partnership for public safety equipment and services procurement.
• Illinois Police Accreditation Coalition (IPAC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIPAC is dedicated to the concept of accreditation and provides a network for member agencies encouraging communication, cooperation, support, and sharing of resources including sample policies, law updates, and mock assessments.
• Illinois Public Safety Leadership Institute (IPSLI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInaugural session launching September 28 - October 2, 2026, created to strengthen and elevate civilian leadership in public safety through immersive professional development for non-sworn public safety supervisors and leaders.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA): CALEA is the dominant national law enforcement accreditation body, operating in parallel with state-level programs like ILEAP and competing for agency accreditation mandates.
• Texas Police Chiefs Association: Texas Police Chiefs Association is a state-level membership organization for police executives offering training, legislative advocacy, and professional development parallel to ILACP's mission.
• California Police Chiefs Association: California Police Chiefs Association is a state-level professional membership association for police chiefs that runs training, advocacy, and recognition programs comparable to ILACP's portfolio.
• New York State Association of Chiefs of Police: NY State Association of Chiefs of Police is the closest direct peer to ILACP: a state-level professional association providing accreditation, training, and advocacy for police executives in New York.

Broad incumbents

• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP): IACP is the national umbrella professional association for law enforcement leaders worldwide, offering accreditation support, training, and policy advocacy comparable to ILACP's offerings but at a national scale rather than state-specific.
• Police Executive Research Forum (PERF): PERF is a national research and policy organization serving senior law enforcement executives, overlapping with ILACP's executive leadership development and policy work but with a national research orientation.

Emerging players

• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE): NOBLE is a national membership association for law enforcement executives of color, sharing ILACP's focus on police leadership development, training, and community-police relations advocacy.

Regional players

• Major Cities Chiefs Association: Major Cities Chiefs represents chiefs from the largest U.S. and Canadian police agencies, addressing leadership and policy issues for large-jurisdiction departments that overlap with ILACP's executive membership base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ILPoliceChiefs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCi5CnSp-AhYfntlBoO5u4Yw/videos?view=0
• Facebookfacebook.com/IllinoisChiefs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinois-association-of-chiefs-of-police
• Instagraminstagram.com/ILchiefs

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police