ABOUT ILLINOIS STATE CRIME COMMISSION

Who we are

The Illinois State Crime Commission (ISCC) — officially the Illinois State Crime Commission/Police Athletic League of Illinois — is a nonprofit advancing public safety and crime prevention statewide since 1994. As a 501(c)(3) funded solely by private gifts and grants, we remain an independent voice for safer communities.

Our mission

Raise awareness for victims of crime, honor the bravery of law enforcement, prevent crime through evidence-informed advocacy, and build trust between police and the communities they serve — especially by engaging at-risk youth.

What we do

  • PAL & Youth Outreach: Sports, mentoring, “Shop with a Cop,” back-to-school fairs, coat and essentials drives, and weekly food support that connect kids and officers in positive, constructive settings.

  • Officer Training & Support: No-cost seminars on officer safety, defensive tactics, and emerging threats; large-scale knowledge-sharing on gangs, drugs, and community risks; annual awards recognizing excellence in service.

  • Legislative Advocacy: Practical policy solutions on violent crime, juvenile justice, school safety, DUI, and firearms restrictions for convicted abusers; research briefs that help lawmakers keep public safety front and center.

  • Community Crime Prevention: Reward programs for credible tips, anti-drug and anti-gang campaigns, and collaborative initiatives with prosecutors, unions, civic groups, and social-service partners.

How we’re structured

Guided by a Board of Directors and executive leadership drawn from law enforcement, business, and community sectors, ISCC/PAL operates as one integrated organization to align youth programs with crime-prevention strategy.

Impact

  • Thousands of officers trained at no cost

  • Illinois’ largest gang-awareness forums and ongoing public-safety seminars

  • Tip-reward programs that help close serious crimes

  • Youth mentorship that reduces delinquency and builds lifelong trust with law enforcement

Get involved

Donate, sponsor, volunteer, or attend an event. Your support powers training for officers, mentorship for youth, and safer neighborhoods across Illinois.

ISCC / PAL Accomplishments

Protecting Illinois through training, youth mentorship, and community action since 1994.

Signature Wins

  • Thousands of Officers Trained—Free: No-cost seminars on officer safety, defensive tactics (incl. Krav Maga), firearms under evolving threats, anti-terror readiness, and large gang-awareness forums.

  • Policy That Puts Safety First: Practical proposals adopted or advanced on juvenile DNA profiling for sex offenders, firearms restrictions for convicted abusers, tougher DUI provisions, stronger school-safety and reporting requirements, and child-protection measures.

  • Tip-Rewards That Close Cases: Cash rewards mobilize citizens to help police identify violent offenders, DUI threats to kids, and other serious crimes—turning community information into arrests and convictions.

  • PAL Youth Mentorship at Scale: Year-round sports & mentoring (boxing, martial arts), Shop with a Cop, back-to-school fairs with backpacks/health services, weekly food support, and annual coat drives—reducing delinquency while building trust with officers.

  • Community Safety Campaigns: “Tough Guys Don’t Do Drugs™,” Project Prom Night, Hands Off Halloween, and anti-gang/anti-drug outreach with unions, schools, and local partners.

  • Recognizing Excellence: The Salute to Those Who Make a Difference awards dinner honors outstanding service across policing, prosecution, education, labor, and civic leadership—galvanizing public support and funding frontline programs.

Impact Highlights

  • Officer Readiness: Thousands trained at no cost; proactive curriculum on emerging threats and close-quarters defense.

  • Youth Outcomes: At-risk youth engaged in structured programs led by officer-mentors; documented success stories of participants pursuing service, college, and trades.

  • Safer Schools & Streets: Legislative briefs, testimony, and community programs that deter underage drinking, impaired driving, gang activity, and repeat violent offenses.

  • Community Trust: Regular, positive officer-youth interactions (gyms, fields, community halls) that humanize policing and increase cooperation on the street.

How It Works

  • Independent & Donor-Funded: 501(c)(3) supported entirely by private gifts, grants, and events—allowing agile response to public-safety needs.

  • Cross-Sector Partnerships: Law enforcement agencies, State’s Attorneys, schools, unions, faith groups, and local nonprofits power events, trainings, and drives.

  • Lean Operations, Big Reach: Volunteers and partners maximize every donated dollar into direct training, youth programming, and victim-support initiatives.

SUPPORT ISCC