The Chicago, Illinois Police Department is the second largest in the country according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice. In 2007, its 13,336 full time sworn officers (or 15,436 full time employees) served a population of almost 3 million. The career outlook for police and sheriff’s patrol officers in all of Illinois continues to look very promising. Projections Central states that every year there will be approximately 1,130 new job openings for police officers and sheriff’s deputies. If you are interested in such a career, check out the criminal justice schools in Illinois for information on law enforcement or criminal justice degrees. Most departments prefer to hire candidates with a minimum of an Associate’s Degree. You will notice that several institutions offer a choice between online and campus educational programs.
Another worthwhile criminal justice degree in Illinois to pursue is in forensic sciences. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Chicago is one of five states with the highest employment levels for forensic experts and technicians who collect and examine evidence using scientific and technological procedures – their role is essential in many cases being solved. Forensic science technicians currently make an average wage between $70,000 and $76,000 in Illinois. Numerous criminal justice schools in Illinois offer forensic science degrees or related programs/specializations in criminalistics, forensic pathology, forensic psychology, ballistics, DNA profiling and many more.
Adler School of Professional Psychology
Campus Location: Chicago, IL
Programs Offered: Counseling Psychology, Forensic Psychology
School Website:
Argosy University
Campus Location: Schaumburg, IL
Programs Offered: Psychology - Criminal Justice
School Website: www.argosy.edu
Brown Mackie College
Campus Location: Moline, IL
Programs Offered: Paralegal Assistant
School Website:
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Campus Location: Chicago, IL
Programs Offered: Applied Forensic Psychology
School Website:
DeVry University
Campus Location: Tinley Park, IL
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice, Technical Management
School Website: www.devry.edu
Lewis University
Campus Location: Romeoville, IL
Programs Offered: Fire Services Administration, Public Safety Administration
School Website:
Northwestern College
Campus Location: Chicago, IL
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice
School Website:
Northwestern University
Campus Location: Chicago, IL
Programs Offered: Public Policy & Administration
School Website:
Rasmussen College
Campus Location: Rockford, IL
Programs Offered: Corrections, Crime Scene Evidence, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Paralegal
School Website:
Upper Iowa University
Campus Location: Rockford, IL
Programs Offered: Criminal Justice
School Website:
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Programs: Associates AABA Criminal Justice Administration, Bachelors BSCJ Law Enforcement
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Programs: BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Bachelor of Science in Political Science
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Programs: BA Social and Criminal Justice, MA Organizational Management Public Administration, MBA Public Administration, Master of Public Administration, BA Political Science and Government, BA Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BA Social and Criminal Justice Political Science and Government, BA Social and Criminal Justice Corrections Management, BA Social and Criminal Justice Forensics, BA Social and Criminal Justice Homeland Security, BA Social and Criminal Justice Security Management, BA Law Enforcement Administration, BA Organizational Management Human Resources Management, BA Social Science No Concentration, BA Sociology
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Programs: Master of Criminal Justice
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Programs: PhD Criminal Justice, MS Criminal Justice, BS Criminal Justice, MPH Social and Behavioral Sciences, DPA General Public Administration, MPA General Public Administration, BPA General Public Administration, PhD Public Safety Leadership, MS Public Safety Leadership, BS Homeland Security, BS Security Management, DSW General Social Work
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Programs: Associates ASCJ Criminal Justice, Associate of Science in Paralegal studies, Master of Science in Management Criminal Justice
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Programs: Criminal Justice Associatess, Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Associates, Paralegal Associates, Criminal Justice Bachelors, Homeland Security Bachelors, Paralegal Bachelors, Master of Science in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
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Programs: BS in Public Safety Administration, MS in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement, MS in Criminal Justice Legal Studies, MS in Leadership Disaster Preparedness & Executive Fire Leadersh, BS in Public Safety and Emergency Management, Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government a, BS in Justice Studies, BS in Sociology
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Programs: Associate of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement
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Programs: BS in Criminal Justice, BSCJ Computer Crime, BSCJ Corrections, BSCJ Crime Scene Investigation, BSCJ Forensic Psychology, BSCJ Homeland Security, BSCJ Law Enforcement, AAS in Criminal Justice, MS in Criminal Justice, MSCJ Corrections, MSCJ Global Issues in Criminal Justice, MSCJ Law, BS in Criminal Justice Administration and Management, MS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BS in Legal Studies, BS in Paralegal Studies, AAS in Paralegal Studies, MS in Legal Studies, MSLS Education and the Legal System, MSLS Legal System and the Media, BS in Environmental Policy and Management, BS in Public Administration and Policy, AAS in Public Administration, BS in Political Science, Master of Public Administration, MPA Criminal Justice, MPA General MPA
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Programs: AA Criminal Justice, BA Criminal Justice, AA Homeland Security, BA Homeland Security, BA Legal Studies, AA Paralegal Studies
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Programs: BS in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Criminal Justice AAS, Criminal Justice BS
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Programs: Online Masters in Criminal Justice, Post-Master Certificate in CJ with Homeland Security Specializat, Online Homeland Security Certification
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Programs: Master of Business Administration Criminal Justice, AA in Criminal Justice, BA in Criminal Justice, BA in Criminal Justice Criminalistics Specialization, BA in Criminal Justice Homeland Security Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Forensic Science, Master of Social Work Management
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Programs: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Corrections Specializati, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Crime Scene Investigatio, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Cyber Crime Specializati, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Speciali, Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Administration Non Profit Specialization, Master of Public Administration Public Policy Specialization, Master of Public Administration Criminial Justice Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Homeland Security Speciali, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Corrections Specialization, Master of Science in Criminal Justice Cyber Crime Specialization
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Programs: MBA Public Administration, Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration Legal Studies, BS in CJ Criminal Justice Administration, BS in CJ Computer Security and Forensics, BS in CJ Homeland Security and Emergency Management, BS in CJ Homeland Security Technology, Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice
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Programs: Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Crime Analysis , Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Forensic Psychology, Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Homeland Security Adminis, Master of Science in Criminal Justice- Justice Administration
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Programs: Associates Criminal Justice, Master of Science Administration of Justice and Security, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration Human S
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Programs: Associates Criminal Justice, Associates Paralegal Studies, Bachelors Criminal Justice, Bachelors Paralegal Studies, Masters Criminal Justice, Bachelors Criminal Justice Homeland Security
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Programs: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Managem, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Homeland Security, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Human Services for Crimi, Master of Public Administration General, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology General, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Mental Health Applic, PhD in Human Services Self-Directed Clinical Social Work, PhD in Human Services Self-Directed Criminal Justice, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model General, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Criminal Jus, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Public Polic, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Public Safet, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based General, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Criminal Ju, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Homeland Se, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Law and Pub, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Public Poli, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Course-based Public Safe, Bachelor of Science BS in Political Science & Public Administrat, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Mana, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Homeland Security, Bachelor of Science BS in Criminal Justice Human Services for Cr, Master of Public Administration Homeland Security Policy and Coo, Master of Public Administration Law and Public Policy, PhD in Human Services Course-based Clinical Social Work, PhD in Human Services Course-based Criminal Justice, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Mixed-Model Law and Publ, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Forensic Psychology , Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Program Planning & E, Master of Science MS in Forensic Psychology Psychology & Legal S
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Illinois is one of five states with the highest level of employment in the following professions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (The number of average job openings per year is provided by Projections Central):
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers ~ 1,130 new job openings per year
- Judicial Law Clerks ~ 80 per year
• Lawyers ~ 1,130 per year
- First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives ~ 280 per year
- Forensic Science Technicians ~ 40 per year
- Security Guards ~ 1,510 per year
Each of the above criminal justice careers in Illinois show a positive outlook for growth through to at least 2018. The Bureau of Labor Statistics adds that Illinois is one of five states with the highest employment for bailiffs and transportation security screeners (TSA).
Other professions that show a positive career outlook for Illinois are correctional officers (with an average of 340 openings per year), paralegals (330 openings per year), detectives and criminal investigators (80 openings per year) and private detectives (110 openings).
You can be a part of these growing fields. Consult the list of criminal justice schools in Illinois for programs such as law enforcement degrees, paralegal or legal clerk courses, legal studies degrees, corrections degrees, forensic science degrees and other criminal justice programs. If you are worried about convenience, you often have the choice between an online or campus program to fit your lifestyle needs.
In addition to Chicago’s Police Department (the second biggest in the U.S.), there are several major criminal justice employers and agencies.
The Illinois National Guard in Springfield is one of the state’s top employers with approximately 13,000 personnel, according to Career One Stop. Its website states, “The Army National Guard has a unique dual mission to serve both country and community”. As a member of the National Guard you have the option to receive training in numerous areas such as law enforcement, aviation and computer technologies. You would also qualify for educational benefits that could go towards tuition at one of the criminal justice schools in Illinois. In some cases, full tuition is covered.
Illinois also boasts two FBI field offices, two U.S. Secret Services offices, one of Homeland Security’s Special-Agent-in-Charge field offices and one of the FBI’s Regional Computer Forensics Laboratories. If you would like to pursue a career with one of these prestigious agencies, look into taking a criminal justice degree in Illinois specializing in either homeland security, cyber security, computer forensics, counterterrorism or another related degree.
| Career |
Employment Growth through 2018 |
Current Average Salary |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers |
7% |
$60,000 – 72,000 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers |
2% |
$50,000 – 53,000+ |
| First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives |
5% |
$90,000 – 100,000 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators |
21% |
$38,000 – 42,000 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
25% |
$51,000 – 54,000+ |
| Lawyers |
11% |
$130,000 – 135,000+ |
| Security Guards |
11% |
$24,000 – 26,000 |
| Forensic Science Technicians |
4% |
$70,000 – 76,000 |
| Law Clerks |
18% |
$40,000 – 45,000 |
Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
Overall, Illinois’ crime rate is approximately 3% lower than the country’s average, states the National Institute of Corrections. However, its violent crime rate is 19% higher compared to other states. In 2010, the FBI reported around 435 cases per 100,000 people or 55,835 total cases of violent crime, which includes murder, rape, aggravated assault and robbery.
The crime rate in Chicago is particularly significant. In 2010, Dr. Andrew Schiller of Neighborhood Scout determined that the West Lake Street district of Chicago was the most dangerous neighborhood in all of the United States. Dr. Schiller’s calculations determined a violent crime rate of approximately 257/1,000 people (which equates to 25,700 per 100,000 people). Statistically a person has a 25% chance of becoming a victim to violent crime in this Chicago neighborhood. This is just one pocket of the entire state of Illinois but adds to the importance of having such a large police force in Chicago.
| Facility |
Number of Facilities/Offices |
Number of Inmates |
| Jails |
94 |
19,940 |
| Prisons |
34 |
48,743 |
| Probation/Parole |
70 probation agencies |
144,692 probationers 33,162 parolees |
Source: www.nicic.gov
