Peoria Standard

Legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives includes $10.2 million for an Illinois National Guard civil engineer complex in Springfield, U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Champaign) and Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) announced.

The money was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022, according to a joint news release by the two Congressmen.

The civil engineer complex will serve the Illinois Air National Guard's 183rd Wing, LaHood said.

"The men and women in the 183rd deserve up-to-date resources to continue providing exceptional emergency response and support services,” LaHood said in a statement. “On top of key funding for Illinois, this bill makes certain that all of our military personnel get the support they need, makes America safer, and sends a strong message to our adversaries around the globe. We face ever-evolving 21st-century threats, and as a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I’ll continue to work with my colleagues to ensure the men and women who serve in Illinois and throughout our Armed Forces have the resources they need."

The legislation also funds other crucial functions in the military, Davis said.

“The NDAA is critical, must-pass legislation that funds our military and makes the necessary investments to keep our country safe from our adversaries and other global threats," he said in a statement. "This year’s NDAA includes important provisions, such as a pay raise for our troops, increased military funding, new resources to combat terrorism and hold China accountable, a review of the outdated Selective Service System, social media protections for our troops, prohibitions on DOD giving dishonorable discharges to troops who decline the COVID vaccine, and  much more.”

The bill passed the U.S. Senate on Wednesday and is headed to President Biden for his signature, Military.com reported.