When fall arrives and homes across America start filling with pumpkin pies and jack-o'-lanterns, chances are those pumpkins came from Illinois. Known as the nation's pumpkin powerhouse, Illinois leads by a wide margin, producing over 650 million pounds of pumpkins annually. This accounts for nearly 40% of the entire U.S. pumpkin production, which is more than the next five states combined!

Much of this dominance is due to the rich soil and ideal growing conditions in central Illinois. The region boasts two major pumpkin processing plants, Nestle Libby in Morton—often called the "Pumpkin Capital of the World"—and Seneca Foods in Princeville. These plants process over 85% of the pumpkins used for canning across the U.S.

Beyond the well-known canned pumpkins, Illinois also produces plenty of decorative jack-o’-lantern pumpkins and sugar pumpkins, a sweeter variety commonly used in pies. Pumpkin patches across the state also offer visitors the chance to pick their own pumpkins directly from the fields, creating a fun fall tradition for many Illinois residents.

Morton, Illinois, home to the Libby’s plant, processes more than 90% of the nation’s canned pumpkins. These products end up in everything from pies to soups and even trendy pumpkin-flavored beverages. During peak season, the small town of Morton celebrates its annual Morton Pumpkin Festival, a tradition that dates back to 1967. With Illinois continuing to dominate this industry, its reputation as the "Pumpkin Capital of the World" remains well earned.

State Representative Bill Hauter, whose district includes Morton, takes pride in the region's pumpkin heritage. “Being born and raised in Morton, I can tell you we are very proud of our pumpkin heritage,” said Rep. Hauter. “Agriculture is the number one industry in Illinois generally and in my district specifically, with pumpkin production playing a huge role. We are proud to be the pumpkin capital of the world!”

The state’s climate, characterized by warm summers and well-draining soil, makes it a perfect environment for growing pumpkins. In fact, Illinois’ agricultural land covers more than 18,000 acres dedicated to pumpkins alone.

Representative Bill Hauter believes Illinois' agricultural heritage is key to its success. "From field to table, Illinois pumpkins are essential to American traditions," he said. “We take great pride in our farmers, whose hard work and dedication make the fall season something to look forward to every year.”

Can't get enough pumpkin?

• Pumpkin themed recipes from the Illinois Farm Bureau.
• Illinois breweries create top pumpkin beers
• Illinois is The Great Pumpkin State

As electric vehicles (EVs) increase in popularity in Illinois, first responders are facing new challenges in adapting their emergency strategies. Powered by high-voltage batteries, these vehicles present unique risks during accidents, such as battery fires, electric shocks, and structural issues. First responders must quickly adapt to these changes in order to safely manage EV-related incidents.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Pulling back the curtain: Bipartisanship end-around. Partisan working groups have become the favored form of policymaking for House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch since he took over as the presiding officer of the Illinois House of Representatives in 2021. By all appearances, the working groups are his not-so-subtle way of shutting Republicans and, more importantly, the public out of the process. An end-around, if you will, to stave off opposing viewpoints.

Illinois is home to thousands of abandoned mines, which pose significant concerns for modern development. Over the past 150 years, more than 6,000 coal mines operated in the state, leaving behind a legacy of poorly mapped sites that create potential hazards for homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Alarmingly, only about half of these historic mines have accurate, accessible maps today. The incomplete records leave vast swaths of Illinois vulnerable to issues such as mine subsidence, where the ground above old mines can suddenly collapse, leading to severe damage to properties and roads.

At Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois, there’s a 750-plot section owned by the Showmen’s League of America. This plot has a chilling past that has intrigued and haunted visitors for over a century. Known as Showmen’s Rest, this section of Woodlawn Cemetery is the final resting place for dozens of circus performers who died in one of the worst train crashes in U.S. history—the tragic Hammond Circus Train Wreck of 1918.

Bobcats showing continued rebound even with trapping.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced the doubling of bobcat hunting permits for the upcoming season. This decision shows the successful recovery of the bobcat population and teaches the importance of effective wildlife management in our state.

Chicago and Illinois as a whole have long been seen as pillars of progressive governance, but are now grappling with the severe consequences of their political decisions. While leadership touts victories like higher minimum wages, green energy policies, and making the state an abortion haven, the undercurrent of economic stagnation, rampant crime, and suffocating taxes tells a different story—one that thousands of Illinoisans are fleeing, and many more are suffering under.