Texas Troops in Illinois Could Cost $12 Million

Hundreds of Texas National Guard soldiers remain stationed in Illinois under federal orders, even though a court ruling has blocked their deployment on Chicago streets or at an immigration facility, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

U.S. Northern Command, which oversees the mission, told Hearst Newspapers on Tuesday that about 200 Texas troops are still under federal control in Illinois, where they are training in de-escalation, crowd control, and use-of-force procedures.

“Any decisions regarding their return to Texas will depend on mission requirements and will be announced as appropriate,” a Northern Command spokesperson reported, noting that the presidential order initially called for a mobilization of 60 days.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the deployment in early October, sending about 200 Texas soldiers and 300 Illinois National Guard members to protect federal personnel and facilities, including a Chicago-area ICE center. 

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker called the move an “unconstitutional takeover” and sued the Trump administration in federal court.

A judge blocked the troops from active duty three days after their arrival on October 7 but allowed them to remain under federal control. The case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court, which has set a November 17 deadline for the next round of filings.

As reported by the San Antonio Express-News, the mission’s cost has likely exceeded $4 million so far and could rise to between $8.5 million and $12.5 million by next month, depending on lodging costs in the Chicago area.

The Pentagon has not released official cost figures for the ongoing deployment.