GovernmentExecutive.com

Illinois officials sued Thursday to block the Defense Department's proposal to move a squadron of Air National Guard fighter jets to an Indiana base under the base closure and realignment round, the Associated Press reported.

Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed the lawsuit in federal court in Springfield, where the 183rd Fighter Wing is stationed.

The state argues Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich oversees the state's National Guard forces, so federal officials are not allowed to make changes if he objects. "Federal law could not be more clear: no National Guard base closures without the consent of the governor," Madigan said in a statement. "Gov. Blagojevich certainly has not given his consent."

Other states are making the same legal argument as the fate of military bases are being considered under the current BRAC round. Pennsylvania has filed a similar lawsuit.

The 183rd, which would be moved Fort Wayne, Ind., is part of the Illinois Air National Guard, under the governor's authority.

The independent Base Closure and Realignment Commission, along with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, are named as defendants in the lawsuit.

A Defense Department spokeswoman declined to comment.

COMMENTS

• It is about time for the US Constitution to be checked and balanced power. It is design to stop the abuse. Many think they can work around the WRITTEN LAW. US citizens pay taxes and expecting them to do anything beyond the Illinois constitution is beyond comprehension. Something is wrong out there. So start by using checks and balances among Federal US government found by our founding fathers! If they succeed move our bases without consent our Governor is consider illegal! GovExec.com reader Posted July 27, 2005 9:00 AM
• The states do fund their guard units. While the amount isn't absolute, it is a portion that pays for maintenance, contracts and employees. So it's not a free ride for the states. In all fairness, wouldn't it be better if the states could tax those active duty bases with all the Florida and Texas residents? That could be a fair trade off. Phil Posted July 28, 2005 1:05 AM
• I think the Governor is perfectly within his rights to keep the aircraft there, all he needs to do is put it in his state budget. If it is his National Guard, he should fund it. Jim Reaves Posted July 25, 2005 8:23 AM