Any person may elect to apply to participate in the Law Enforcement Intern Training Program. To be eligible to participate, the person must meet the minimum criteria established by the Board that includes, but is not limited to, physical fitness standards, educational standards, psychological standards, 21 years of age, of good character, and not convicted of a felony offense or other crime involving moral turpitude under the laws of this State or any other State that, if convicted in this State, would be punishable as a felony or a crime of moral turpitude. Applicants shall be accepted for the program on a person by person basis and shall not take the place of or prevent a law enforcement officer from entering an academy class to meet the basic training requirements set forth in the Illinois Police Training Act. When reviewing applications, special consideration shall be given to persons who have been members of the Armed Forces of the United States in accordance with the Veterans Preference Act. The Board’s investigators shall enforce the provisions of this Act to ensure compliance with the Act, including, but not limited to, administrating a criminal justice background check that includes State and federal criminal histories, conducting interviews, obtaining, by subpoena if necessary, investigative records, police records, personnel records, or other records that may be needed.
     Nothing in this Act shall override or replace, preempt, or supersede, any hiring or selection standard, process, procedure, requirement, or mechanism established by any local governmental unit, or State statute or regulation that is in effect or amended hereafter.