![](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/389/2021/03/25170018/Neely-e1626865435491.jpg)
By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – When the federal government needed the help and protection of the National Guard after the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, the National Guard was there.
Now that the Guard has burned through more than $500 million since then, the thank-you may come in the form of layoffs.
“The threat to the Illinois National Guard is $31 million being withdrawn,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Neely, who commands the thousands of Guardsmen and -women in the state, “which would force us into cancelling our August and September drills as well as our other annual training, as well as laying off some of our full-time employees.”
Illinois’ share of the money owed is about $31 million.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]