Illinois National Guard based in East St. Louis activated to help with medical supplies
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker has called on National Guard soldiers based in East St. Louis to help with the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Illinois National Guard announced that the governor activated about 60 more soldiers and airmen, including those from the 1844th Transportation Company in East St. Louis, on Thursday, adding to the team of about 200 now helping statewide.
About 50 of the East St. Louis guard members will help distribute medical supplies and equipment from warehouses in central Illinois, the Illinois National Guard said.
Another six newly-activated service members will work at the State Emergency Operations Center, helping with communication and analyzing the response to the COVID-19 coronavirus respiratory disease and the potential need for flood response operations.
Other National Guard members are helping with coronavirus testing and opening shuttered hospitals or hotels to care for COVID-19 patients.
