ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD SUPPORTS HUMANITARIAN AID OPERATIONS IN THE CHICAGO AREA

Photo By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton | Air Force Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard coined five Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen after Univision interviews at the Illinois Army National Guard's North Riverside armory. Governor JB Pritzker issued an emergency disaster proclamation on Sept. 14 and activated approximately 75 members of the Illinois National Guard to ensure all state resources are available to support asylum seekers arriving nearly daily to Chicago. More than 60 percent of the Soldiers and Airmen activated are Spanish speakers. The proclamation enables the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other state agencies, in close coordination with the City of Chicago, Cook County, and other local governments, to ensure the individuals and families receive the assistance they need. This includes transport, emergency shelter and housing, food, health screenings, medical assessments, treatments, and other necessary care and services.  

SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES

09.28.2022

Story by Barbara Wilson 

Joint Force Headquarters - Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

Approximately 75 Illinois National Guard service members are on state active duty assisting the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in providing humanitarian aid to asylum seekers across the Chicagoland area.
Governor JB Pritzker issued an emergency disaster proclamation on Sept. 14 and activated members of the Illinois Army National Guard's Chicago-based 108th Sustainment Brigade and Peoria-based 182nd Airlift Wing. The majority of the brigade’s Soldiers came from the North Riverside-based 3625th Classification and Inventory Company (CICO) and 1970th Quartermaster Co. The activation was to ensure all state resources are available to support asylum seekers arriving nearly daily to Chicago, the Governor said. More than 60 percent of the Soldiers and Airmen activated are Spanish speakers. The Governor's proclamation enables the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other state agencies, in close coordination with the City of Chicago, Cook County, and other local governments, to ensure the individuals and families receive the assistance they need. This includes transport, emergency shelter and housing, food, health screenings, medical assessments, treatments, and other necessary care and services.

• Date Taken: 09.28.2022
• Date Posted: 09.28.2022 17:38
• Story ID: 430302
• Location: SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, US