Richard Hayes (general)

Richard J. Hayes Jr.
Hayes in 2015
Allegiance	United States
Years of service	1987–2019
Rank	Major General
Unit	Army National Guard
Commands	C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery Regiment 129th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) Illinois National Guard
Awards	Legion of Merit (2) Meritorious Service Medal (3) Army Commendation Medal (7)
Spouse(s)	Danette
Other work	Vice President and General Manager, Middough, Inc.

Richard J. Hayes Jr. is a retired U.S. Army National Guard officer, who served as the Adjutant General of Illinois. He was appointed by Governor of Illinois Bruce Rauner in 2015.

As Adjutant General, Hayes served as the highest-ranking member of the Illinois National Guard. He serves as the Director of the Illinois Department of Military Affairs in the Governor's Cabinet and is the principal advisor on military matters for the Governor, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Guard.