CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Matt Ballinger is the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s next executive director of public safety and chief of police. The appointment takes effect Feb. 1, subject to approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Ballinger’s title will be interim executive director of public safety and chief of police until board approval.
Ballinger has served as interim executive director of public safety and chief of police since October 2023.
“Chief Ballinger has clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to our university,” said Mike DeLorenzo, vice chancellor for administration and operations. “His detailed knowledge and dedication to public engagement helps him advocate for the safety needs of our entire university community.”
Ballinger was hired as a police officer in 2004. During his nearly 20-year tenure at Illinois, he has served in multiple leadership ranks and several special units, including as METRO SWAT commander, an instructor on appropriate use-of-force techniques, and as a field training instructor for new officers. He has garnered public recognition for his contributions to policing and was awarded the 2012 Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor. Prior to serving the campus community, he served in the U.S. Army 3rd Ranger Battalion.
Ballinger is known for forming strong relationships with university officials, community leaders, local law enforcement and other stakeholders to establish policies and practices aimed at prioritizing safety. Ballinger served as one of the first supervisors of the county’s Street Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency group charged with focusing on the prevention of gun violence and other serious crimes in the Champaign-Urbana community. He has also worked closely on initiatives that promote mental health intervention and safety, including the Response, Evaluation and Crisis Help initiative and the Community Outreach and Support program.
Alice Cary, executive director of public safety and chief of police since July 2020, departed in October 2023.
Editor’s note: For additional information, contact Patrick Wade, chief of staff, Division of Public Safety, 217-265-0028, pwade@illinois.edu.
