Every year, on the Friday before Labor Day, we celebrate College Colors Day. This day is an opportunity for people to showcase their school pride by wearing the colors of their alma mater or favorite college or university. It's a celebration of the rich academic culture and diverse educational opportunities that Illinois has to offer.

Reposted from August 24, 2023

The origins of high school football in Illinois date back to the 1880s. Some of the state’s most tradition-rich programs originated before 1900, including schools such as Oak Park, East Aurora, Freeport, Woodstock, Joliet, West Aurora, Pontiac, Pittsfield, and East St. Louis. Many of the greatest legends in the history of the sport played high school football in Illinois, including Red Grange, Otto Graham, Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, and Kellen Winslow, to name a few. 

It’s late summer in Illinois and that can mean extreme heat and high humidity. A dangerous combination for people and pets alike. 

While we do all we can to keep ourselves and our families cool, let's not  forget about our four-footed friends. The best way to keep your pets safe during a heatwave is to follow these steps from the Humane Society:

One of Illinois’ most popular state parks could be expanding soon.

For over 100 years, Illinoisans and visitors to our state have flocked to Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County to take in the natural beauty, the hiking trails and the history. In 1911 the state purchased much of the land and made Starved Rock Illinois’ second state park.

Illinois Constitution Day is observed every August 26. This date marks the ratification of Illinois' first state constitution in 1818, a milestone moment in Illinois’ journey to statehood. This day now offers an opportunity to reflect on the significance of this historic event and how it continues to shape the governance and identity of Illinois. House Bill 2834 from the 102nd General Assembly, which establishes Illinois Constitution Day, was introduced in 2021 to ensure that the significance of the state's constitutional history is recognized and celebrated statewide.

   

SENIORS

      House Republicans champion legislation to help seniors.  Illinois House Republicans continue to step up to protect and support the senior community through a series of legislative efforts aimedat enhancing the lives of seniors across the state. Representatives Ryan Spain, Jeff Keicher, Kevin Schmidt and other House Republican legislators have introduced and championed bills that address key issues affecting older adults, from healthcare and housing to financial stability and driver safety.

State lawmakers don't just attend legislative sessions at the Capitol, cast votes on proposed laws and go home for the rest of the year. They actually spend a considerable amount of time assisting constituents, studying state issues and conducting outreach in their districts. What's more, these activities go on throughout the year and generally heighten during the summer months after the General Assembly finishes its work in May.

Illinois House Republicans continue to step up to protect and support the senior community through a series of legislative efforts aimed at enhancing the lives of seniors across the state. Representatives Ryan Spain, Jeff Keicher, Kevin Schmidt and other House Republican legislators have introduced and championed bills that address key issues affecting older adults, from healthcare and housing to financial stability and driver safety.

Welcome to our "3 Things You Didn't Know About" series. Our aim is to help you get to know your legislator a little better.

With sky-high inflation still impacting hard-working Illinois families and the new school year set to begin, it’s important to consider ways to save money. Food prices, gasoline costs, interest rates, rent and almost all living expenses continue to rise, and with little end in sight. Saving money in the current economic climate may not be easy, but there are tips and strategies that can be utilized to help families.
Back-to-school spending is expected to reach record highs this year across the country. Back-to-school costs expected to reach new high (chicagotribune.com) And in Chicago, parents spend $886 per child on average, which is 34 percent more than the national average. With inflation and no sales tax holiday in place this year, many families will have difficult choices to make.

CORRUPTION
Prosecutors Ask Court to Reject Effort to Sever Upcoming Racketeering Trials of Michael Madigan, Michael McClain. Federal prosecutors argued ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime confidant and current co-defendant Michael McClain should not be tried separately later this year, as it would give each man the ability to “blame a missing person.”

The Illinois Air National Guard is a military reserve unit comprised of dedicated individuals who have made it their mission to protect both their state and their country. From its humble beginnings in 1927 to its modern-day role in national defense and humanitarian efforts, the Illinois Air National Guard has been a steadfast guardian of freedom. This commitment is reflected in the lives of its members, many of whom go on to become leaders in their communities, embodying the values of duty, honor, and sacrifice.

Children will soon be boarding buses to head back to school. According to the State Board of Education and the Illinois State Police the most dangerous part of the school bus ride for students is the bus stop.

Children are at greatest risk when they are getting on or off the school bus. Most of the children killed in bus-related crashes are five to seven year olds getting on or off the bus when they are hit by motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus. 

Welcome to our "3 Things You Didn't Know About" series. Our aim is to help you get to know your legislator a little better.

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Quantum computing has become a buzzword in the world of technology, but many people are still unclear about what it actually is and how it works. Quantum computing utilizes the principles of quantum mechanics to perform operations on data in a fundamentally different way than classical computing. Instead of using bits to represent data as either a 0 or 1, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in multiple states at once thanks to the phenomenon of superposition.

Golf is an important part of Illinois’ tourism economy. The state is home to some of the finest golfing destinations in the country. Illinois has also been host to many PGA, LPGA, and amateur golf tournaments over the years. The 1989 PGA Championship, the U.S. Women’s Amatuer Championship, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, and the Ameritech/SBC Senior Open are just a few examples of great golf tournaments that have all taken place right here in Illinois!

Each August, more than 175 Illinois communities around the state participate in National Night Out. The program began in 1984 as a way to link Neighborhood Watch and Law Enforcement organizations with residents in their communities. On this night, neighborhoods across the state host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and more. It has become an effective way to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and communities.

CRIME
Proposed Illinois law would cut all prison sentences in half: ‘Fair’ or ‘outrageous’? A proposed bill could grant JoAnn Cunningham – who is serving 35 years for killing her 5-year-old son AJ in their Crystal Lake home – freedom after completing only half her sentence.

Should the measure become law, it also could free the child’s father, AJ Freund Sr., who was sentenced to 30 years for crimes tied to his son’s murder, after serving 15. His term currently is ordered to be served at 85%, which would keep him in prison for about 25 years.

As summer ends and a new school year approaches, many Illinois families are feeling the financial strain. With the rising cost of living, back-to-school shopping can be tough. From clothes and shoes to school supplies, the expenses add up quickly, causing stress for parents who are already struggling.

State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro (R-Hanover Park) understands these challenges and is committed to doing her part to help. She is hosting her Second Annual Back to School Supply Drive to support students and families in her community. This initiative stemmed from her desire to ensure every student has the necessary tools to succeed in school.

Sometime during the 1873 legislative session, Andrew Henry of Greenville, a judge and state legislator, sat for a portrait with an acclaimed Springfield pencil and crayon artist named Dennis Williams.

Williams completed the illustration, signed it and marked it with the year, then placed the drawing in a frame, on which was stenciled “From C.C. Howorth’s Picture & Frame Store. No. 14, American House Block.”

Welcome to our "3 Things You Didn't Know About" series. Our aim is to help you get to know your legislator a little better. 

Illinois is known for its rich history of agriculture, and the state's farmers markets are the perfect places to experience what Illinois farms are producing. These markets are a source of fresh, locally produced goods. They also serve as opportunities to bring communities together to support one another.

A recent competition held by the American Farmland Trust and Farmers Market Coalition named the top 10 Farmer’s Markets in Illinois, as reported by the Illinois Farm Bureau: 

On August 4, 2003, second and third graders from Cunningham Elementary in Joliet witnessed the final step of their class project when the governor signed legislation that made popcorn the official snack food of the State of Illinois. 

The designation makes sense. There are more than 300 Illinois farms growing popcorn on 47,000 acres of farmland. This makes the land of Lincoln the third largest grower of popcorn in the world.

ILLINOIS STATE FAIR
The State Fair kicks off in Springfield on Thursday, August 8. Special days include Ag Day (August 9), Kids Day (August 10), Veterans Day (August 11), and Senior Day (August 12). During special days, designated State Fair visitors can get discounted or free admission to the Fair. Special group-oriented events are also offered on each day of the Fair, which will continue until Family Day on Sunday, August 18. The daily State Fair schedule is available here.

Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) announced in March the state intended to tear down and rebuild two prisons in poor conditions: Stateville Correctional Center for men in Crest Hill outside of Joliet, and the Logan Correctional Center (LLC) for women outside of Lincoln.

The initial announcement did not immediately indicate what would become of LCC, stating only that Stateville would be rebuilt where it was and that plans for LCC were still being determined.

In Urbana on the University of Illinois campus sits a historical marker that reads:  "In 1953, John R. Laughnan discovered that kernels of mutant corn were "unusually sweet." Within eight years, Laughnan had developed the "Illini Supersweet" hybrid that revolutionized the sweet corn industry. Supersweet, now a dominant variety internationally, is higher in protein and lower in calories than conventional sweet corn."