Illinois Reserve Militia
Before the Illinois National Guard was called into federal service, the State Council of Defense established the Illinois Volunteer Training Corps in order to begin training citizen volunteers in paramilitary skills.[1] In August 1919, approximately 1,500 soldiers from the 7th and 10th regiments of the Illinois Reserve Militia were stationed at their headquarters in Peoria, Illinois, to be prepared to respond to potential rioting from striking workers at the Keystone Steel and Wire Company.Illinois organized the Reserve Militia as a full infantry division and an air corps, totaling nearly 6,000 soldiers by June 1944, with its members agreeing to serve a two-year initial enlistment.[1] In September 1942, the Illinois Reserve Militia was mobilized and placed on standby during a strike by employees of the Western Cartridge Company.[3] In December 1945, approximately 450 members of the Illinois Reserve Militia were mobilized to operate a shuttle service between all the major Chicago bus, train, and air terminals after various mass transit systems became overwhelmed due to the number of servicemen attempting to return to their homes.