CHICAGO – Rep. Tammy Duckworth is retiring from the Illinois National Guard after 23 years in the military and ten years after she lost both legs in Iraq when the Blackhawk helicopter she was piloting was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.
The National Guard announced the retirement on Tuesday and Duckworth's office confirmed that Duckworth — a lieutenant colonel — is leaving the military. Duckworth was commissioned with the Army Reserves in 1992 and joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1996.
The 47-year-old Duckworth and her husband Major Brian Bowlsbey of Hoffman Estates are expecting a baby.
The suburban Chicago Democrat is running for re-election against Republican Larry Kaifesh on Nov. 4.
