HB5756 Summary

• Eliminates the "Chief of Staff" position and consolidates military command authority under the Adjutant General, who serves as both Director of the Department of Military Affairs and Commander of the Illinois National Guard.

• Removes the specific peacetime personnel strength requirement (6,000-45,000) for the Illinois National Guard and ties strength to U.S. Army and Air Force authorizations instead.

• Changes discrimination language in the Military Code from prohibiting discrimination "because of race, creed or color" to prohibiting "unlawful discrimination" in all Illinois National Guard units.

• Eliminates the Assistant Adjutant General position for the Division of Family Affairs; the division continues to exist but without a dedicated Assistant Adjutant General heading it.

• Modifies notification requirements for National Guard members called to active duty to "brief on" rather than provide written notice of employment tenure provisions, and simplifies emergency procurement procedures for the Adjutant General.