The Illinois Naval Militia was also part of the adjutant general's command, until it was disbanded.
General Neely is the senior officer in the chain-of-command for both the Illinois Air and Army National Guard.
General Neely works closely with the leadership of National Guard Bureau and the Departments of the Army and Air Force.
Colonel Thomas S. Mather resigned to enter active service, and Judge Allen C. Fuller was appointed, remaining in office until 1 January 1865.
Reviewing the role in 1869, as the volunteer army had been mustered out, and the duties of the Adjutant General correspondingly decreased, the legislature reduced the size of the department and its funds.