The Illinois Army National Guard Commander's Guidance Seminar scheduled for Feb. 4-6 has been cancelled due to the federal government lapse in appropriations. Soldiers who booked hotel accommodations for the CGS should cancel them as soon as possible.

CLICK HERE for Illinois Department of Military Affairs - 2025 ANNUAL REPORT
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Patrick Kerr, public affairs superintendent at the 183d Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, poses for a photo during Northern Strike 26-1.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Stephen Unverzagt, public affairs officer at the 183d Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, poses for a photo during Northern Strike 26-1.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Noah Hardin, a public affairs specialist with the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, poses for a photo during Northern Strike 26-1.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Wynndermere Shaw, a public affairs specialist with the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, poses for a portrait during Northern Strike 26-1.
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Melissa Downeytakes the oath of office during her promotion ceremony.
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Melissa Downey's 16-year-old son, Luke Hiller, 'punches' Warrant Officer 4 rank on his mother's chest during Downey's promotion ceremony.
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Melissa Downey presents flowers to her 20-year-old daughter, Leah Hiller, and 16-year-old son, Luke Hiller, during her promotion ceremony.
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Melissa Downey hugs her niece, Kaelan Loftus, after her promotion.
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Melissa Downey's 16-year-old son, Luke Hiller, 'punches' Warrant Officer 4 rank on his mother's chest during her promotion ceremony.
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Melissa Downey is shown with her family after her promotion.
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Melissa Downey is shown with her 20-year-old daughter, Leah Hiller, and 16-year-old son, Luke Hiller, after her promotion.
Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Mertz of Troy, Ill., created a "Career Development Roadmap" to help Illinois Air National Guard Airmen progress.
Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Mertz discusses professional development with a fellow Airman.
Some of the many coins and badges Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Mertz has received during his decades of military service.
Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Mertz started as the Illinois Air National Guard’s new State Command Chief Master Sergeant on Oct. 1.
Col. Jessica McPherson addresses Soldiers and guests after assuming command of the Illinois Army National Guard’s 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade during a Change of Command ceremony in Normal, Illinois, Jan. 10, 2026.
Col. David Helfrich gives his outgoing remarks during the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade's Change of Command ceremony in Normal, Illinois, on Jan. 10, 2026.
Brigade leadership from the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade conduct a Change of Command ceremony, formally transferring authority from Col. David Helfrich to Col. Jessica McPherson in Normal, Illinois, Jan. 10, 2026.
Col. Jessica McPherson poses for a photo with a guest at the 404th MEB Brigade Ball in Normal, Illinois, Jan. 10, 2026.
Brigade leadership stands center stage during the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade's Change of Command ceremony, formally transferring authority from Col. David Helfrich to Col. Jessica McPherson in Normal, Illinois, Jan. 10, 2026.
Jennifer Hillyer is embraced by her friend, Sgt. 1st Class Misty Mesecher, following her retirement ceremony on January 9.
Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Michael Servough presents a gift to Maj. Jennifer Hillyer on behalf of the soldiers she served with during her retirement ceremony on Jan. 9.
Col. Jeff Hicks, the Deputy United States Property and Fiscal Officer Army, presents Maj. Jennifer Hillyer with a framed American Flag during her retirement ceremony on Jan. 9.
Illinois Army National Guard Maj. Jennifer Hillyer embraces her friend, Sgt. 1st Class Misty Mesecher, after her retirement ceremony on Jan. 9.
Hugo Costa, executive director for the Portuguese Space Agency, and U.S. Ambassador to Portugal John J. Arrigo pose for a photo.
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

CANCELLED - Illinois Army National Guard Commander's Guidance Seminar
By | Feb. 2, 2026
The Illinois Army National Guard Commander's Guidance Seminar scheduled for Feb. 4-6 has been cancelled due to the federal government lapse in appropriations. Soldiers who booked hotel accommodations for the CGS should cancel...
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Patrick Kerr, public affairs superintendent at the 183d Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, poses for a photo during Northern Strike 26-1 Jan. 29, 2026, at Camp Grayling, Michigan. Northern Strike 26-1 is a Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) accredited, Army-sponsored, National Guard Bureau program. The exercise is tailorable, scalable, and cost-effective for readiness. Participants face cold-weather conditions while training to meet the objectives of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Arctic strategy. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Katherine Jacobus)
Cold-Weather Capable: IL ANG PA Airmen Test Limits During NS 26-1
By Staff Sgt. Katherine Jacobus | Jan. 30, 2026
Public affairs Airmen from the 182nd Airlift Wing and 183d Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, trained in Arctic conditions to prepare for cold-weather operations and assess how effectively they and their equipment function in...
Illinois Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Melissa Downey takes the oath of office during her promotion ceremony, Jan. 11, at Heartland Community College’s Astroth Community Education Center auditorium in Normal, Ill. Downey, a Lake in the Hills, Ill., resident, has 32 years of military experience. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Geraldo Valdes, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs.)
Lake in the Hills Veterans Service Officer Promoted in the Illinois Army National Guard
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | Jan. 22, 2026
Melissa Downey of Lake in the Hills, Ill., was promoted in the Illinois Army National Guard to Chief Warrant Officer 4 on Jan. 11 during a ceremony in Heartland Community College’s Astroth Community Education Center...
Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Mertz of Troy, Ill., discusses professional development with a fellow Airman at the Illinois Air National Guard’s headquarters in Springfield on Jan. 10. Mertz started as the Illinois Air National Guard’s new State Command Chief Master Sergeant on Oct. 1. He has created a “Career Development Roadmap” to assist Airmen as they progress. (Photo by Army Sgt. Geraldo Valdes, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)
Illinois Air National Guard’s New Top Enlisted Leader: ‘Get All the Training You Can’
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | Jan. 20, 2026
New State Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Mertz’s priorities as he settles into his new job as the Illinois Air National Guard’s senior enlisted Airman might be summarized into one six-letter word: PEOPLE...
Brigade leadership stands center stage during a Change of Command ceremony for the Illinois Army National Guard’s 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade during the brigade ball in Normal, Illinois, Jan. 10, 2026. The ceremony formally transferred command from Col. David Helfrich to Col. Jessica McPherson, symbolizing the passage of authority and responsibility for the brigade. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Ervin, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Illinois Army National Guard)
404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade conducts Change of Command during Brigade Ball
By 2nd Lt. Trenton Fouche | Jan. 14, 2026
The Illinois Army National Guard’s 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade formally transferred leadership during a Change of Command ceremony held Jan. 10, 2026, during the 404th MEB Brigade Ball in Normal, Illinois...
Col. Jeff Hicks, the Deputy United States Property and Fiscal Officer Army, presents Maj. Jennifer Hillyer with a framed American Flag upon her retirement from the Illinois Army National Guard after 21 years of service. The retirement ceremony was held Jan. 9 at the Northenders Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10302 in Springfield. Hillyer retired after 21 years of military service but continues to serve her community as the Junior Vice Commander of VFW Post 10302.
National Guard Officer Retires from Army after 21 Years, Continues Service with VFW
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | Jan. 14, 2026
Maj. Jennifer Hillyer of Springfield retired after 21 years of military service to our state and nation in the Illinois Army National Guard in a Jan. 9 ceremony at the Northenders Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Post 10302,...
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