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
Aviation Soldiers Mobilize for Southern Command Mission
Aviation Soldiers Mobilize for Southern Command Mission
Aviation Soldiers Mobilize for Southern Command Mission
Belvidere Officer Retires from the Illinois Army National Guard After Two and a Half Decades of Selfless Service
Belvidere Officer Retires from the Illinois Army National Guard After Two and a Half Decades of Selfless Service
Illinois National Guard Soldiers Return to Illinois After Key Logistics Mission in Poland, 10-Month Deployment
Illinois National Guard Soldiers Return to Illinois After Key Logistics Mission in Poland, 10-Month Deployment
Illinois National Guard Soldiers Return to Illinois After Key Logistics Mission in Poland, 10-Month Deployment
Illinois National Guard Soldiers Return to Illinois After Key Logistics Mission in Poland, 10-Month Deployment
Capt. Nicholas Limentato is hugged by his girlfriend, Audrey Newlin after his April 14 arrival at the University of Illinois Willard Airport
Adlynn Kirkpatrick, 10, hugs her father, Sgt. 1st Class Mathew Kirkpatrick, after his April 14 arrival at the University of Illinois Willard Airport
Tia Petersen hugs her son, Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Tucker Petersen, after his April 14 return from deployment
Capt. Tucker Petersen talks with his 2-year-old nephew, Wade Petersen, after Capt. Petersen's April 14 arrival at the University of Illinois Willard Airport
Tia Petersen hugs her son, Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Tucker Petersen, after his April 14 return from deployment.
Capt. Tucker Petersen plays with his 2-year-old nephew, Wade Petersen, after Capt. Petersen's April 14 arrival at the University of Illinois Willard Airport
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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

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, June 6, 2026. The gift from the Illinois Joint Force Headquarters depicts the mission sets from the three wings that McDonough commanded during his career. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Lealan Buehrer)
Maj. Gen. Dan McDonough of Peoria Retires after Nearly Four Decades of Military Leadership
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | June 11, 2026
Maj. Gen. Dan McDonough, the former Assistant Adjutant General – Air of the Illinois National Guard and Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard, couldn’t possibly list his accomplishments over his almost 40 years of...
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. Connor, a UH-60 pilot with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, has been named a recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. He is one of only four warrant officers across the entire force — including the regular Army, National Guard and Army Reserve — to receive the honor. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs.)
Illinois Army National Guard Aviator Wins Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | June 11, 2026
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ethan R. Connor of Huntley, Ill., a UH-60 pilot with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, has been named a recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur...
Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca, the Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, 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. The assignment was effective June 1, 2026.
Illinois National Guard's Director of Joint Staff Selected For Key Army Intelligence Role
By | June 11, 2026
Brig. Gen. Jorge Fonseca, the Director of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, has been selected for the dual-hat assignment as the Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE) at...
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. During his career, Burton served in many diverse roles including Security Forces, Human Resource Advisor, and Safety specialist. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Lealan Buehrer)
The Power of Transformational Leadership: CMSgt Retires After 27 Years of Service
By 2nd Lt. Trenton Fouche | June 11, 2026
At his retirement ceremony, Burton’s legacy could be seen across generations, from the family members whose service inspired him years ago to his own daughters, 2nd Lt. Amari Burton and Airman 1st Class Aubrey Burton, both...
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, May 15, in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium on the university’s campus in Dekalb, Ill. The ROTC program commissioned 10 new Army second lieutenants, five of whom are joining the Illinois Army National Guard. Established in 1968, the NIU Army ROTC program has commissioned 715 officers into the U.S. Army. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)
Illinois National Guard Leaders Welcome 10 New Second Lieutenants During Spring ROTC Commissioning Ceremonies
By | June 11, 2026
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Lenny Williams, The Assistant Adjutant General - Army and Commander of the Illinois Army National Guard,...
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. In her civilian life, she is in hospitality management as a hotel supervisor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations and is considering enrollment in the Illinois Army National Guard Officer Candidate School.
Proud New American: Spc. Edna Carrena Shares Her Journey To U.S. Citizenship Through Military Service
By | June 10, 2026
Spc. Edna Carreno is a Soldier in the Illinois Army National Guard’s North Riverside-based 1244th Transportation Company, 198th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 34th Division Sustainment Brigade. In her civilian life,...
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Freedom 250 - Today in History

June 1, 1957: The Illinois Army National Guard’s Officer Candidate School is established on Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

 

 

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