As March comes to a close, let's come together to celebrate Women’s History Month – a time to recognize the achievements, leadership and lasting impact of women. Here in Illinois, it’s also an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable women who have called our state home, including one of the most influential voices of our time: Michelle Obama.

Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Michelle Obama’s story is deeply rooted in Illinois. She attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School before earning her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and her law degree from Harvard University. After returning to Chicago, she built a career focused on public service, working in city government and later at the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Her journey eventually led her to the national stage, but her connection to Illinois has remained central to her identity. Throughout her time as First Lady, she championed initiatives focused on education, health and supporting military families. These causes reflect the values of community and opportunity that define so many Illinois neighborhoods.

Beyond her time in public office, Michelle Obama has continued to inspire people around the world through her writing and advocacy. Her memoir, titled “Becoming”, shares her personal story while encouraging others, especially young people, to pursue their goals and embrace their own potential.

The former First Lady's story serves as a powerful reminder of what can grow from Illinois communities. From Chicago classrooms to global influence, Michelle Obama’s journey reflects the strength, resilience and leadership that women across our state demonstrate every day.

As Illinois celebrates this day, it also celebrates the countless women — past and present — who continue to shape our communities, uplift others and inspire the next generation.

As Black History Month comes to a close, we proudly honor the legacy of a “Soy City” native whose life embodied courage, determination and service – Sergeant Ellsworth Dansby Jr. of Decatur.  

Born in Decatur in 1914, Dansby developed a fascination with airplanes at an early age. At 12 years old, he flew his first solo flight after teaching himself the fundamentals of aviation. He later received formal training at Decatur Airport, earning his pilot accreditation and logging more than 100 hours in the air.

With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan scheduled to start in just under two months, all eyes are on Team USA as America anticipates a strong performance bringing home many medals. Though the team rosters won’t be finalized until early 2026, the past several Winter Games have seen plenty of Illinois natives win big. Among them are hockey forward Abbey Murphy, ski jumper Kevin Bickner, and figure skater Alexa Knierim — each of them a story of extreme dedication, determination, and intense passion for the sports they love.

On Dec. 4, 1969, at the age of 21, Fred Hampton was assassinated by a unit of Cook County State’s Attorney’s office in coordination with CPD and the FBI. But who was Fred Hampton, and why was he assassinated?

Born Fredrick Allen Hampton, Hampton’s ties to Illinois start from birth in present day Summit, Illinois. At the age of 10, Hampton was already participating in community activism, hosting breakfasts for local children that he cooked himself. In high school Hampton led walkouts to protest exclusion of Black students from the homecoming queen race and calling on the school to hire more Black teachers and administrators. Hampton would eventually join the NAACP as a youth organizer and grew the youth group to 500 members in the Village of Maywood. In Maywood, Hampton worked to improve recreational facilities and improve educational resources for the impoverished Black community.