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Approximately 100 Illinois National Guard members have
volunteered to remain in the nation’s capital as part of nearly
2,300 National Guard members who will provide continued support
to the U.S. Capitol Police until about mid-May. The U.S.
Department of Defense approved an extension of this mission.
These 100 Illinois National Guard Soldiers volunteered to
continue supporting this mission as part of the overall National
Guard force provided by the Governors of multiple states.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker activated the approximately 500
Illinois National Guard members to support security in the
nation’s capital in late-January at the request of the
Department of Defense.
“Since January hundreds of the brave men and women of the
Illinois National Guard have been in D.C. to support the U.S.
Department of Defense’s mission to protect our nation’s capital.
They have done their duty with pride and immeasurable
selflessness and I am proud to welcome them back home,” said
Governor JB Pritzker. “On behalf of the entire State of
Illinois, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the
Illinois National Guard and their ongoing commitment to
protecting our state and the entire nation.”
The Illinois Army National Guard’s Chicago-based 108th
Sustainment Brigade and its subordinate battalion, the North
Riverside-based 198th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion,
provided the bulk of the Illinois National Guard force for the
Washington, D.C. mission.
“Time and time again the Illinois National Guard has answered
the call to duty,” said Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the Adjutant
General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National
Guard. “I am proud to lead these extraordinary Citizen-Soldiers
and Citizen-Airmen as they continue to serve their state and
nation.”
The Illinois National Guard members were activated under the
provisions of U.S. Title 32, which leaves them under the
authority of the Governor with all costs paid by the federal
government.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information]
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