With the former home of a young Abraham Lincoln in disrepair, Illinois lawmakers are joining with local advocates to put forward a package of legislation designed to revitalize the New Salem State Historic Site.

“New Salem is a powerful reminder of President Lincoln’s political beginning, and people travel to the site from around the world to learn more about the man who became our nation’s greatest president,” said State Senator Steve McClure. “The legislation aims to restore the site’s structures and its reputation, while creating a path forward for New Salem that preserves its place in Lincoln’s legacy for generations to come. I thank the Lincoln League for partnering with me on our shared vision to Save Lincoln’s New Salem.”

The definitive guide to the biographies of Illinois’ chief executives, The Illinois Governors: Mostly Good and Competent, describes the state’s 38th Governor, Jim Edgar, as “the right governor at the right time.”

Edgar, who served two terms between 1991 and 1999, held the office between the flashy, big-spending days of his predecessor and the scandal-tarred administrations of his two successors. Edgar was, according to the book’s authors, Robert P. Howard, Taylor Pensoneau and Peggy Boyer Long, “comparatively dull, yet popular throughout his two terms.”

Chicago and other areas of the Midwest celebrate a delicious Polish tradition every year known as “Paczki Day.” This day-before-Lent celebration occurs on what is commonly known as “Fat Tuesday” during Mardi Gras.

In Poland, paczki are traditionally made on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. However, many Polish Americans now combine the celebrations with Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday. If you are wondering what a paczki is, one Chicago baker sums it up succinctly – “essentially a cream-filled donut, but on steroids.” 

Throughout the United States’ storied history, many iconic symbols serve as incredible reminders of our nation’s past, though few represent its unbreakable spirit quite as profoundly as the national anthem, titled “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The time-tested tune encapsulates not only its fortitude in battle, but its core values of freedom and bravery. 

Casimir Pulaski Day was officially designated as a statewide observance in Chicago and Illinois in 1986. It is observed each year on the first Monday in March in recognition of Pulaski’s March 6 birthday. Pulaski, a Polish-born hero of the American Revolution, was killed in battle during the ‘Siege of Savannah’ in 1779. 

Our children deserve the brightest future and best opportunities for success we can provide for them, and two of the fundamental assets of their early education must include teaching them to read and write. Students who struggle with literacy can fall behind their peers quickly, and the consequences are compounded as they get older. The importance of literacy is not lost on House Republicans, who believe an important goal in Illinois should be for every child to read and write at their grade level or higher.

Women's History Month has been an annual celebration in the United States since 1987, but its roots go back to a weeklong event in Sonoma, California, in 1978. The celebration was expanded to a month-long observance by Congress in 1987, to recognize the often-overlooked achievements of women throughout history.

Here in Illinois, we're proud to have several women stepping up to represent their communities in the House Republicans. These women bring a wealth of diverse experiences and a shared commitment to public service. They've made significant strides in healthcare, education, and economic development, showing us all what dedicated leadership looks like. Their hard work and advocacy have opened doors for future generations of women leaders.