PAWNEE — Illinois State Police and the Illinois Capital Development Board broke ground today on a new canine training complex in Pawnee, launching an $8.9 million state investment that officials said will add two new buildings with 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,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “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.”
State officials said the project will upgrade canine training facilities for the first time in decades, citing steady funding from the Pritzker administration and the General Assembly. The facilities support law enforcement agencies across Illinois, according to the state police.
“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,” ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said. “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.”
Officials said ISP has expanded the use of canines as criminal methods have evolved, incorporating new technology and techniques to combat crime. ISP provides a 10-week, full-service canine training course for ISP troopers and local law enforcement agencies, the agency said. During the course, canines are trained to track human odors, which officials said can help locate suspects attempting to evade arrest and assist in missing persons cases.
ISP currently has 64 canine teams, which the agency said assist with missing person searches, drug and gun interdiction, officer protection and evidence recovery. In 2025, ISP said its canines assisted in almost 100 criminal apprehensions, 225 searches for items, more than 330 building searches involving narcotics, a person or explosives, and almost 200 stolen vehicle recoveries. ISP also reported 117 firearm seizures and the seizure of more than 3,600 pounds of illegal drugs.
The upgrades include construction of an administrative building with office space for up to 80 personnel and additional classroom areas, along with a kennel that can house up to 20 canines and allow for indoor and outdoor training, officials said.
WSP is serving as the architectural and engineering firm for the project, and CAD Construction is the general contractor. The Capital Development Board will oversee the project and provide management and oversight throughout construction under protocols for state-funded projects, officials said.
“Supporting our sister agencies and their operational needs through strategic infrastructure investments is central to our mission,” said TJ Edwards, executive director of the Illinois Capital Development Board. “CDB is proud to partner with ISP to deliver new facilities that enhance their training environments.”
The Capital Development Board is also managing a separate project in design to renovate the pistol and rifle ranges at the Pawnee site, officials said.
