The Illinois Naval Militia is a naval militia created by the Illinois General Assembly in 1893. As a state defense force it is not part of the Illinois National Guard or National Guard of the United States. In 1896, it had five divisions: three in Chicago, one in Moline, and one in Alton, of approximately 250, 100, and 50 men respectively. At that time, it received $25,000 in federal money annually. Following the World's Columbian Exposition, there were plans to move the replica battleship Illinois to a pier near Van Buren Street, where the ship would have become the headquarters of the militia. The militia was disbanded in 1988; however, on January 19, 2006, it was reauthorized, but never established, by an executive order of Governor Rod Blagojevich. Senate Republicans disputed the governor's authority to resurrect the militia.
Read more about Illinois Naval Militia: Ships
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