Jason M. Benhart is the top civilian Inspector General in the Army National Guard.
American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois
American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois
American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois
Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wants to Help Veterans Heal Through Social Work
Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wants to Help Veterans Heal Through Social Work
First Sergeant With ‘Toughness of Infantry and Compassion of Chaplain’ Retires After Nearly Three Decades of Military Service
First Sergeant With ‘Toughness of Infantry and Compassion of Chaplain’ Retires After Nearly Three Decades of Military Service
Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska
Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska
Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska
Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska
‘Rockstar’ Chief Warrant Officer Retires After Successful 25 Years of Service in the Illinois Army National Guard
‘Rockstar’ Chief Warrant Officer Retires After Successful 25 Years of Service in the Illinois Army National Guard
‘Rockstar’ Chief Warrant Officer Retires After Successful 25 Years of Service in the Illinois Army National Guard
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Kevin Jacobs, left, presents a framed aerial photograph to Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois
U.S. Air Force Col. Shawn Strahle, left, presents a mounted jet engine fan blade to Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, left, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough hold a Certificate of Retirement during a ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, left, presents U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough with a Citation of Merit during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.
U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Reed, center, presents a framed photograph of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough presents his wife, Cindy McDonough, with a Certificate of Recognition during his retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.
The daughter of Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough speaks from a podium during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel R. McDonough embraces his son, 2nd Lt. Danny McDonough, during a retirement ceremony at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, June 6, 2026.
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ethan R. Connor of Huntley, Ill., is shown prior to conducting a flyover of a Chicago Bears football game.
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ethan R. Connor of Huntley, Ill., is shown on Al Asad Air Base in Iraq in 2023.
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ethan R. Connor of Huntley, Ill., is shown at the Dubai Air Show in 2023.
Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca has been selected for the dual-hat assignment as the Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE) at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marlon Burton, the command chief of the Illinois Air National Guard, gives flowers to his spouse during his retirement ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, May 3, 2026.
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marlon Burton, the command chief of the Illinois Air National Guard, addresses the audience during his retirement ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, May 3, 2026.
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marlon Burton, right, the command chief of the Illinois Air National Guard, receives a Certificate of Appreciation during his retirement ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, May 3, 2026.
Staff Sgt. Anthony May pins second lieutenant rank on Knayjah Miller during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, May 15
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, poses for a photograph with the Army’s 10 new second lieutenants after the Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Staff Sgt. Anthony May poses for a photo with 2nd Lt. Knayjah Miller during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, congratulates 2nd Lt. Joshua Van Den Broeck, during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
2nd Lt. Jaiden Mitchell hugs Staff Sgt. (ret.) Jon Allen during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, administers the Oath of Office to 10 new Army second lieutenants during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, points to Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca, the Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, in the audience during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Lt. Col. Harold Larsen, the Professor of Military Science for the Northern Illinois University’s U.S. Army ROTC program, introduces Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, during the university’s Commissioning Ceremony
Illinois Army National Guard 1st Lt. Floyd Bastien administers the State of Illinois Oath of Office to five newly commissioned Illinois Army National Guard second lieutenants during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
2nd Lt. Joci Hasson (right) and 2nd Lt. Donavan Davenport are shown after their promotion to second lieutenant during Northern Illinois University’s Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Spc. Edna Carreno is a Soldier in the Illinois Army National Guard’s 1244th Transportation Company, 198th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 34th Division Sustainment Brigade.
Spc. Edna Carreno is a Soldier in the Illinois Army National Guard’s 1244th Transportation Company, 198th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 34th Division Sustainment Brigade.
Portuguese Air Force Brig. Gen. João Paulo Nunes Vicente
Illinois National Guard Assistant Adjutant General – Air Brig. Gen. Steve Rice signs an agreement during staff talks in May between Illinois National Guard senior leaders and the Portuguese Armed Forces.
U.S. Navy Cdr. Josh Estevan listens to the discussion during staff talks in May between Illinois National Guard senior leaders and the Portuguese Armed Forces.
Portuguese Air Force Brig. Gen. João Paulo Nunes Vicente signs an agreement during staff talks in May between Illinois National Guard senior leaders and the Portuguese Armed Forces.
Illinois Air National Guard Commander Brig. Gen. Kevin Jacobs listens to the discussion during staff talks in May between Illinois National Guard senior leaders and the Portuguese Armed Forces.
Illinois Army National Guard Deputy Assistant Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Michael Eastridge listens to the discussion during staff talks in May between Illinois National Guard senior leaders and the Portuguese Armed Forces.
Senior staff and commanders from the Illinois National Guard and the Portuguese Armed Forces pose for a group photograph at the end of staff talks in May between Illinois National Guard senior leaders and the Portuguese Armed Forces.
Aviation Soldiers Mobilize for Southern Command Mission
The Employment Assistance Program (EAP) is open to all Title 5 and Title 32 Employees. Click Here for more information. 

Check out the Illinois National Guard's latest publication, the Illinois National Guard Prairie Sentinel! Inside you'll find news and photos from around the ILNG! Click below to check it out!Prairie Sentinel Link

Concert Flyer for 3 scheduled 144th Army Band concerts for Independence Day weekend.
144th Army Band Hosts 3 Concerts to Celebrate Independence Day
By | July 1, 2026
The Illinois National Guard's 144th Army Band will perform three concerts to celebrate Independence Day in three communities across the state...
Jason M. Benhart, a civilian employee with the Illinois National Guard Joint Force Headquarters Office of the Inspector General, placed third in the U.S. Army 2026 Inspector General of the Year Competition in the civilian category, and is the top civilian Inspector General in the Army National Guard.
Illinois' Jason Benhart Recognized as One of the Top Inspector General Civilians
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | June 30, 2026
Jason M. Benhart, a civilian employee with the Illinois National Guard Joint Force Headquarters Office of the Inspector General, placed third in the U.S. Army 2026 Inspector General of the Year Competition in the civilian...
George Rogers Clark, from a portrait painted by John Wesley Jarvis in the collection of Colonel R.T. Durrett of Louisville, Kentucky. As the American Revolutionary War intensified, Clark sought approval of a plan from Virginia’s Governor, Patrick Henry, to capture the British-held settlements of Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes in the Illinois Territory.
American Revolution in the Midwest: How Parts of the War Were Fought in Illinois
By | June 29, 2026
As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, most of us remember what we learned in school about the American Revolution. Primarily our lessons focused on General George Washington and the Revolutionary War events that took...
Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Velazquez, then serving in the Illinois Air National Guard, poses during her graduation ceremony at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Velazquez earned a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on leadership, psychology and sociology, a milestone that helped inspire her pursuit of a Master of Social Work degree and a future career supporting veterans and underserved communities. (Courtesy photo)
Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wants to Help Veterans Heal Through Social Work
By 2nd Lt. Trenton Fouche, Joint Force Headquarters Illinois National Guard | June 22, 2026
After 27 years in uniform, retired Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Velazquez knew how to lead Airmen, solve problems and take care of people. What she did not expect was how difficult it would be to step away from the identity that...
Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca, the Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, presents Jodi Hoffman with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff thanking her for her support of her husband, Illinois Army National Guard 1st Sgt. (ret.) Greg Hoffman, throughout his 27-year military career during Greg Hoffman’s June 6 retirement ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Davanh Sanamixay, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs.)
First Sergeant With ‘Toughness of Infantry and Compassion of Chaplain’ Retires After Nearly Three Decades of Military Service
By Story and photos by Spc. Davanh Sanamixay, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs | June 22, 2026
Greg Hoffman didn’t want to be a first sergeant.He saw what his friend and mentor, Command Sgt. Maj. (retired) Dena Ballowe, endured as she prepared the 3537th Surface Maintenance Co. for Hurricane Katrina duty in 2005 as the...
1st Lt. Colin Kehoe will lead the approximately 70 Soldiers of the 233rd Military Police Co. on its deployment to Alaska where the Soldiers will protect infrastructure critical to the security of the United States of America. He stands with War Pig, the element’s mascot, during the company’s mobilization ceremony, June 7, on Camp Lincoln in Springfield. All sorts of rumors are swirling around as to how War Pig managed to enlist, but the straight facts are that the 233rd Military Police Co. is answering our nation’s call again as it has for more than 130 years. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Charlie Michaels, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade)
Springfield-Based 233rd Military Police Company Mobilizes About 70 Soldiers For Critical Mission in Alaska
By By G. Alejandro Valdes, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs | June 22, 2026
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, and other senior leaders honored approximately 70 Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard’s Springfield-based 233rd...
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Freedom 250 - Today in History

June 29, 1944: The Illinois Army National Guard’s 106th Cavalry arrives at Utah Beach in Normandy, France. The 106th would have an outstanding record of service in the European Theater during World War II leading Maj. Gen. W.H. Haislip to say “The 106th Cavalry Group was more than once worth a division to the XV Corps. You always were assigned extremely important missions and accomplished them against great odds.” Among those missions was the rescue of King Leopold of Belgium from the Nazis in 1945.

 

CLICK HERE for Illinois Department of Military Affairs - 2025 ANNUAL REPORT