Back to back: The Land of Lincoln receives international recognition for economic growth for second year

The 2025 Startup Ecosystem Stars Awards, hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce, recently granted Illinois the Startup Ecosystem Stars Award in recognition of the state’s global leadership in talent, research, investment and innovation. This recognition is familiar for Illinois as the state also received this award in 2024, demonstrating consistent efforts to build and maintain innovative policies and environments.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity earned recognition across five categories: Best-in-Class Startup Programs, Outstanding Investment Boost, Top Talent & Research, Exceptional Industry Support and Pioneering Innovation Policy. Initiatives like the Federal Grant Support Program and the Manufacturing Illinois Chips for Real Opportunity Program promote industrial growth and innovation across industries and help the state reap the benefits of its investments as it welcomes more businesses.
Illinois was one of only 36 entities worldwide to receive the award. Illinois is also the sole recipient to be awarded in all five categories, reaffirming the state’s all-encompassing approach to constructing a robust economy.

Celebrating Illinois Statehood Day

• Illinois
• Anniversary

On Dec. 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21^st state to join the Union. This followed Illinois’ status as a territory since 1809, which represented a much larger border including Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota and Michigan.

The capital in 1818 was Kaskaskia, and in 1819 became Vandalia. At the time Illinois became a state the population was 34,620 residents. Most of the land in Illinois was largely unsettled. Many Native American tribes were pushed off their land and conflicted with colonists following Illinois’ statehood. The state’s first elected governor was Shadrach Bond, who ran without opposition. While Illinois joined as a free state, slavers were grandfathered in and were allowed to keep their slaves. Slavery was eliminated gradually, though anti-Black laws and other forms of segregation and institutionalized racism persisted.

Illinois is the fifth largest economy, sixth largest state by population and 25^th by land area. The state’s area is near that of England or Nepal. Illinois matches Turkey by economy, making it equivalent to the 16^th largest economy on Earth when measured by nominal GDP. The state topped national economic development rankings in 2024.

Women’s Pro Baseball returns to Illinois in 2026

Exciting news for baseball fans in Illinois and across the country! The Women’s Professional Baseball League plans to play its inaugural season in Springfield. Four teams from major cities across the U.S. – New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Boston – will be playing their 2026 season at Springfield’s very own Robin Roberts Stadium.

Illinois has played a central role in women’s baseball since the sport’s earliest days. Springfield’s connection goes back 150 years. In 1875, two women’s baseball clubs, the Blondes and the Brunettes, played a ticketed game, becoming one of the first women’s baseball events to have paying customers where players were paid.

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Lincoln’s first turkey pardoning

Did you know Abraham Lincoln was the first president in U.S. history to pardon a turkey? The first instance of a president pardoning a turkey dates back to the Civil War.

As the story goes, Lincoln’s son, Tad, had become fond of a turkey named Jack. When presented with Jack for the family feast on Christmas, Tad adopted the bird as a pet. He exclaimed that he could not bear to see the animal killed – so President Lincoln submitted to his son’s request, created a reprieve for the turkey in writing, and gave it to Tad.

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