McLean County Times

The final fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, including a project request for $10.2 million for the 183d Air Wing of the Illinois National Guard base in Springfield, passed in the House.

In a recent release, U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Champaign) and Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) announced the project, stating the funding would be used to create a base civil engineer complex.  

“The NDAA is critical, must-pass legislation that funds our military and makes the necessary investments to keep our country safe from our adversaries and other global threats,” Davis said in a release. “... Our troops here in central Illinois deserve to have a  proper facility to meet their maintenance and preparedness needs.”

This year’s NDAA offers provisions including pay raises and social media protection for troops, increased military funding, resources to combat terrorism, review of outdated Selective Service System policies and prohibitions on the Department of Defense giving dishonorable discharges to troops who decline the COVID-19 vaccine.

“I’m glad that both parties came together to reach an agreement on the NDAA because politics should never interfere with our national defense and security. We must never allow our military to be defunded,” Davis said. 

The project, Davis said, would support the important mission of the troops. 

“The men and women in the 183rd deserve up-to-date resources to continue providing exceptional emergency response and support  services,” LaHood said in the release. “On top of key funding for Illinois, this bill makes certain that all of our military personnel  get the support they need, makes America safer, and sends a strong message to our adversaries around the globe. We face ever-evolving 21st-century threats, and as a member of the House  Intelligence  Committee, I’ll continue to work with my colleagues to  ensure the men and women who serve in Illinois and throughout our Armed  Forces have the resources they need.”

According to the release, the project was requested by the 183rd Wing of the Illinois Air National Guard and supported by the Department of Defense. 

Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder and Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Executive Director Mark Hanna also offered their support.