News

Already a Coach, Artist, and ‘Brady Bunch’ Dad – Army Officer is Now a Major
July 21, 2026 — A.J. Peskuski has many roles in his busy life – father, husband, coach, artist, and businessman. Now he has another - U.S. Army field-grade officer. The Illinois Army National Guard promoted A.J. Peskuski of Wheaton, Ill., to major on Sunday at the General Richard L. Jones Armory on Chicago’s South Side... MORE

Maj. A.J. Peskuski, Commander of the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, recites the oath of office during his promotion ceremony at General Jones Armory in Chicago.

U.S. and Malaysian soldiers conduct joint walking blood bank training
July 21, 2026 — During Exercise Keris Strike 26, soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard’s 709th Medical Company Support Area led a walking blood bank training event near Kota Belud in Sabah, Malaysia, on July 17, 2026. The session shared critical medical knowledge with Malaysian Army soldiers from Bravo Company, 1st Medical Battalion, and U.S. Army soldiers from the Guam Army National Guard. This bilateral training builds stronger interoperability between U.S. and Malaysian forces, ultimately reinforcing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Anita Neuhas shows how to prevent blood from clotting during blood transfusions to Malaysian Army soldiers.

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service
July 17, 2026 — Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens’ 42 years of service in the Illinois Army National Guard was celebrated during a retirement ceremony July 16 at the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) 2, Decatur. ‘The Godfather’ as noted on his flight helmet enlisted in the Illinois Army National in 1983, at the age of 17. ... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Herb Stevens, State Standardization Pilot and Commander of the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) 1 in Kankakee, thanks family, friends, and fellow Soldiers for their support during a retirement ceremony July 16 at AASF 2 in Decatur.

Illinois Army Aviation MEDEVAC Writes Final Chapter of Unit’s History with Casing of Colors
July 17, 2026 — On Oct. 1, 2012 then-Detachment 2, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), more commonly known as “DUSTOFF” started writing its own history chapter as part of the Illinois Army National Guard. The final chapter for Detachment 2, Company G, Detachment 7, Company D, and Detachment 8, Company E, 1-111th GSAB was written July 12, as the unit cased its guidon at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Kankakee, ending a storied chapter in aviation medical evacuation in the Illinois Army National Guard. ... MORE

Capt. Jonathan Mercado, right, Commander, Detachment 2, Company G, 1-111th General Aviation Support Battalion, and Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Panatera, acting first sergeant, case the unit's guidon during a ceremony July 12 at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Kankakee.

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks Appointed as United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Illinois
July 10, 2026 — Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, The Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard, has announced the appointment of Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO) for Illinois. Col. Hicks will replace Col. Brian Creech, who is retiring at the end of September after a 40-year distinguished career. ... MORE

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks has been selected as the United States Property and Fiscal Officer (USPFO) for Illinois.

144th Army Band Hosts 3 Concerts to Celebrate Independence Day
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... MORE

Concert Flyer for 3 scheduled 144th Army Band concerts for Independence Day weekend.

Illinois' Jason Benhart Recognized as One of the Top Inspector General Civilians
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 category, and is the top civilian Inspector General in the Army National Guard. ... MORE

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
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 place in the original 13 colonies. However, many events outside the 13 colonies helped defeat the British, including in parts of Illinois and Indiana... MORE

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.

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wants to Help Veterans Heal Through Social Work
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 had shaped most of her adult life. Velazquez enlisted in 1998, her military career culminating in her role as Command Chief of the 183d Wing... MORE

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.

First Sergeant With ‘Toughness of Infantry and Compassion of Chaplain’ Retires After Nearly Three Decades of Military Service
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 brand-new unit first sergeant. Hoffman decided “Being a first sergeant is not a good idea.” ... MORE

Already a Coach, Artist, and ‘Brady Bunch’ Dad – Army Officer is Now a Major

U.S. and Malaysian soldiers conduct joint walking blood bank training

‘The Godfather’ Flies into Retirement after 42 Years of Service

Illinois Army Aviation MEDEVAC Writes Final Chapter of Unit’s History with Casing of Colors

Col. Jeffrey P. Hicks Appointed as United States Property and Fiscal Officer for Illinois

144th Army Band Hosts 3 Concerts to Celebrate Independence Day

Illinois' Jason Benhart Recognized as One of the Top Inspector General Civilians

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

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

‘Rockstar’ Chief Warrant Officer Retires After Successful 25 Years of Service in the Illinois Army National Guard

Maj. Gen. Dan McDonough of Peoria Retires after Nearly Four Decades of Military Leadership

Illinois Army National Guard Aviator Wins Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award

Illinois National Guard's Director of Joint Staff Selected For Key Army Intelligence Role

The Power of Transformational Leadership: CMSgt Retires After 27 Years of Service

Illinois National Guard Leaders Welcome 10 New Second Lieutenants During Spring ROTC Commissioning Ceremonies

Proud New American: Spc. Edna Carrena Shares Her Journey To U.S. Citizenship Through Military Service

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

Springfield-Based Military Police Co. Prepares for Deployment to Alaska

Illinois National Guard Soldiers step onto the range and step up to lead

Soldier Credits Gold Star Scholarships for Path to Success

Bloomington Soldier Credits Success to Giant Life Lessons

The 34th Division Sustainment Brigade (DSB) Change of Command

Fellow Veterans, Family Gather to Remember Soldier who Died During Annual Training Accident in 1999

Chicago White Sox Knock It Out of the Park, Answer Call for Replacement Memento Honoring Fallen Service Member

Illinois Air National Guard Judge Advocate Adjourns Career

Illinois National Guard 33rd IBCT Commander and Cavalry Officer Highlights Polish-American Military Bonds on Pulaski Day

Guard Officer Retires After 32 years; Has No Plans to Give Spouse’s Liver Back

Bryant Promoted to Major in Illinois Army National Guard

Illinois Army National Guard Commander Honors Captain Walter Dyett Award Recipient

Springfield Community Gathers to Remember 35th Anniversary of Desert Storm Cease Fire

Illinois National Guard Soldier Promoted to Staff Sergeant in Milan-based Unit

Illinois Army National Guard Field Artillery Battalion Joins With Community to Give Blood

From Soldier Care to Leadership: Lt. Col. Lionel Gonzalez Retires After 23 Years

Illinois Army National Guard Combatives Instructor Retires After 23 Years of Service

Brave Band 2026 Strengthens Multinational Readiness as U.S. National Guard Marks 11 Years of Partnership

Woodstock-Based ‘Honeybadgers’ Named Illinois Army National Guard’s Top Recruiting Company for Third Straight Year

Staff Sgt. Francisco Orozco Named Illinois’ Top Army National Guard Recruiter for Second Year, Earns National Recognition

Small Store, Big Impact: Illinois National Guard Soldiers Help Exchange Boost Soldier Morale at Forward Operating Site Karliki, Poland

Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Ramos Named Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting Rookie of the Year

Illinois National Guard Honors Former Guardsman Abe Lincoln

Cold-Weather Capable: IL ANG PA Airmen Test Limits During NS 26-1

Lake in the Hills Veterans Service Officer Promoted in the Illinois Army National Guard

Illinois Air National Guard’s New Top Enlisted Leader: ‘Get All the Training You Can’

404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade conducts Change of Command during Brigade Ball

National Guard Officer Retires from Army after 21 Years, Continues Service with VFW

Illinois National Guard, Portugal Formalize New State Partnership Agreement

Gov. Pritzker Names Colonel Steven B. Rice as Assistant Adjutant General - Air of the Illinois National Guard

725th Transportation Company Kept European Command Fueled

Upcoming retirement of Major General Daniel McDonough, the Assistant Adjutant General – Air and Commander of the Illinois Air National Guard after more than 38 years in uniform.

TAG Holiday Message

Approximately 250 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Return from Overseas Deployment

1-178th Infantry Welcomes New Commander

Approximately 265 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Return from Overseas Deployment

Illinois National Guard Unit From Pontiac Played Vial Role in U.S. Military Operations in Somalia

Freeport-Based Military Police Unit Returns From Critical Mission in the Tundra

Illinois National Guard Regional Training Institute Gets New Commander

Illinois National Guard Soldier Becomes Naturalized U.S. Citizen During Ceremony

Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers Support Bright Star 25 in Egypt

Illinois National Guardsmen Compete in the Annual TAG Match 2025 to Test and Enhance Marksmanship

Two childhood friends from the Illinois Army National Guard compete together in the ILNG TAG Match 2025

Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy Welcomes New Director

Elmhurst, Ill.. Officer Takes Command of Illinois Army National Guard Infantry Brigade

Veterans and Gold Star Families Day at the Illinois State Fair

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd Joins 8th Infantry Association in Scholarship Presentations

Sullivan-based Logistics Unit Returns After Deployment to Africa and Europe

Public Affairs Unit Returns after Historic Deployment to Europe

Illinois National Guard to Partner with Portugal as Part of National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program

Brig. Gen. Jorge M. Fonseca Promoted and Appointed Director of the Joint Staff

Retiring Lincoln’s ChalleNGe Academy Director Led Academy With Vision and Passion

Illinois Army National Guard's Deputy Assistant Adjutant General Selected as Deputy Commanding General for U.S. Army South

Geneva, Ill., Officer Promoted to Major General in the Illinois Army National Guard

Springfield-based 232nd CSSB Mobilizes for Deployment to Europe

Illinois National Guard Honors Master Sgt. Francis Sarnecki’s 31 Years of Service

New Berlin Soldier Takes Oath as Commissioned Officer in Illinois Army National Guard

Future Illinois Army National Guard Officers Walk the Battlefield at Fort Donelson

Native of Chicago's Little Village selected as Illinois National Guard's Next Director of the Joint Staff

Newest Commissioned Officer Took Path from West Africa to Illinois National Guard Leadership

Huntley Soldier Assumes Command of 766th Brigade Engineer Battalion 

Approximately 1,370 Illinois Guard Members Were Activated for Overseas Duty  