Illinois Air National Guard members are facing being discharged from service if they don't get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Illinois Air National Guard's vaccine deadline was December 3, 2021. Right now, 96% of members are vaccinated, with 3% asking for exemptions, and 1% are simply refusing and haven't submitted an exemption request.

The Department of Defense (DOD) issued a memorandum on August 24, requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all active duty, Ready Reserve, including the National Guard.

“The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Air Force said that this vaccine is required for medical readiness, so that drive us to say you must take the vaccine or you must be discharged,” says Major General Peter Nezamis with the Illinois Air National Guard.

Discharged because, "without this shot you are no longer medically fit for duty,” said Nezamis.

Across the three Illinois bases there are more than 2,900 guard members.

Fewer than 100 hundred are requesting an exemption, and fewer than 30 are refusing.

"They either agreed to retire because they were retirement eligible or they just out right refused and said they request to be discharged,” says Major general Nezamis. “If the member says I don't really want to discharge, and I really don't want to take the vaccine than we have to discharge the member."

At the 183rd wing in Springfield, there are 800 guard members, and around 20 are out of compliance.

"Each member that is going to be discharged is going to receive no less than a general discharge an honorable discharge, which will entitle them to their benefits,” says Major General Nezamis.

Less than a handful of civilians that work at the bases are expected to be dismissed over the vaccine requirement.

Those that are waiting to see if their exemption is approved can still serve and train in the meantime.

There is no set deadline for when the exemptions will be approved or not, because each case will be reviewed individually.

The guard wants to make sure each member receives due process.

The Illinois Army National Guard will be going through a similar process, but their deadline is not until June 30.