Defense Attorney General

So, the State of Illinois is going to sue if the Pentagon tries to close Springfield's 183rd Fighter Wing base.

CHICAGO - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan threatened Tuesday to sue the federal government if Air National Guard units in Springfield or Peoria are on a final list of recommended military shutdowns later this year.

Madigan said her office has determined that federal law obligates the Defense Department to get permission from a governor when closing a National Guard base within that executive's state.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and members of the Illinois congressional delegation, including U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Peoria, raised the legal argument earlier this year. Madigan's office was asked to issue an opinion.

"Federal law is clear: no National Guard base closures without the consent of the governor," Madigan said in a news release. "As attorney general, I will seek to uphold this law and protect these bases should it become necessary."

The Pentagon is expected Friday to recommend several bases for closure as part of a national military reorganization.

Illinois officials have worried the Defense Department preferences could include shutting down the 183rd Fighter Wing at Springfield's Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport or the 182nd Airlift Wing at Greater Peoria Regional Airport.

I'm skeptical this suit would be successful. I mean, why would any governor give his permission to close a base in his/her state? This has never come up before? It also seems to me, as much as I don't want the 183rd to go away, it should be up to the Pentagon where units are based.