U.S. Congressional Candidate
MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM L. ENYART - Adjutant General, Illinois Retired
Major General William L. Enyart of Belleville served as the 37th Adjutant General of the State of Illinois. He was a member of the Governor’s Cabinet and the Governor’s principal advisor on military matters. As the Adjutant General, General Enyart directed the Illinois Department of Military Affairs and was the senior officer in the Chain-of-Command for both the Illinois Army and Air National Guard. He was responsible for the daily operations of the Illinois National Guard and oversaw its 13,000 men and women in uniform. As the head of the Department, General Enyart worked closely with the leadership of the National Guard Bureau and the Departments of the Army and Air Force.
Prior to becoming the Adjutant General, General Enyart served as the Deputy Commanding General for the Illinois Army National Guard. He served in that assignment from May, 2006 to September 2007. General Enyart served on active duty in the United States Air Force. He served as Commander, Illinois Army National Guard Forces deployed to Kiev, Ukraine in July, 2005. General Enyart was selected to brief the Polish Army and Air General Staff on mobilization policy of United States Reserve Military Forces. He has also served overseas at Vincenza, Italy and Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.
General Enyart has served in Infantry, Judge Advocate General Corps, and staff positions in the 66th Infantry Brigade, 33rd Infantry Brigade (Separate) and Joint Force Headquarters Illinois Army National Guard. His most recent assignment prior to being selected as the Adjutant General was as the Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Illinois National Guard.
General Enyart is married to retired Circuit Judge Annette A. Eckert, who is now a professor at Lindenwood University-Belleville and operates in mediation service in Belleville. Enyart has two sons, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson, all of whom live in Belleville.
EDUCATION:
- 1974 Southern Illinois University, Bachelor of Arts, Journalism and Political Science, Edwardsville, Illinois
- 1979 Southern Illinois University, Juris Doctorate, Law Degree, Carbondale, Illinois
- 2000 United States Army War College, Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
ASSIGNMENTS:
- November 1982 - November 1984, Trial Counsel, 66th Infantry Brigade, Decatur, Illinois
- November 1984 - February 1985, Executive Officer, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry, Litchfield, Illinois
- February 1985 - August 1985, Assistant Trial Counsel, 86th Army Reserve Command, Urbana, Illinois
- August 1985 - September 1990, Selective Service System Officer, Detachment One, State Area Command, Springfield, Illinois
- September 1990 - August 1993, Assistant Judge Advocate, State Area Command, Springfield, Illinois
- August 1993 - May 1996, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, 66th Infantry Brigade, Decatur, Illinois
- May 1996 - September 1997, Command Judge Advocate, 33rd Area Support Group, Chicago, Illinois
- September 1997 - October 2002, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, State Area Command, Springfield, Illinois
- October 2002 - December 2005, Staff Judge Advocate, State Area Command, Springfield, Illinois
- December 2005 - May 2006, Deputy Commander, Joint Forces Headquarters, Springfield, Illinois
- June 2006 - September 2007, Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Illinois National Guard, Joint Forces Headquarters, Springfield, Illinois
- 12. September 2007 - Present, The Adjutant General, Illinois National Guard, Springfield, Illinois
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Air Force Good Conduct Medal
- Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
- National Defense Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Service Stars)
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Silver Hour Glass)
- Army Service Ribbon
- Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon
- Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Short Tour)
- Illinois Long and Honorable Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Illinois Military Attendance Ribbon (with Numeral 13)
- Illinois State Active Duty Ribbon
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross (with Palm)
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
- First Lieutenant ARNG 1 August 2024
- Captain ARNG 1 November 2023
- Major ARNG 1 June 2024
- Lieutenant Colonel ARNG 16 May 2024
- Colonel ARNG 30 October 2023
- Brigadier General ARNG 9 June 2024
- Major General ARNG 27 June 2024