Illinois stands ready to assist with recovery efforts in Puerto Rico as residents begin to rebuild and recover after Hurricane Maria. This week, Governor Rauner put more than 550 Illinois National Guardsmen on alert and ready to deploy should they be needed.
While the Governor has the authority to activate the Illinois National Guard within the state’s borders, he cannot send them to other states or territories without an official request. The Governor has sent a letter to Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico letting him know the state of Illinois is eager to help and will mobilize troops immediately, if and when more boots are needed on the ground.