Colonel (Ret.) Kevin Little serves as the Chief of Staff for the Illinois Department of Military Affairs. His primary responsibilities include ensuring resources and efforts from the Illinois Department of Military Affairs are aligned with state and federal missions and serves as the liaison between the Illinois National Guard and various state and federal agencies, including the Governor's Office.
His service in the Illinois Army National Guard began in 1995 as an enlisted service member with the 233rd Military Police Company. In 2001, he commissioned through Officer Candidate School. He has been participated in numerous domestic operations and was deployed to Kunar Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
He has held a variety of officer staff and leadership roles, including diverse roles in operations with special emphasis as the Director of logistics operations and planning, recruiting and retention, and information management. His military career culminated with his role as Director of Human Resources and Brigade Commander for the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. After retirement, he returned to federal service as Director of Human Resources for the Illinois National Guard from November 2023 to January 2025.
He holds a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from the University of Illinois and earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in 2020. His military honors include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with two campaign stars), Combat Action Badge, and several other federal and Illinois awards.
He currently resides in Franklin, Illinois with his wife Jessica, their 13-year-old twins Rex and Whitney and has a 27-year-old daughter Hannah, and her husband Hunter Long, who is stationed at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington D.C. with the United States Air Force.
Updated: March 2025