A memorable morning in the Land of Lincoln

• Abraham Lincoln

Aug. 8, 1860 was a seminal moment in the history of Springfield, when 80,000 people rallied and marched to end slavery and support then-candidate for president, Abe Lincoln. The energy was ecstatic, bands, clubs and floats marched through Springfield. What lit the fire for this great expression of free speech and civil duty? The contentious admission of the new territories west of the Mississippi as slave states, or free states.

The parade and rally were held to support the view that the territories must be admitted as free states. A prominent float in the parade featured 33 young women, each representing a state.  Behind them, a buggy in the rear carried a woman representing Kansas with a sign, “Will you let me in? – Kansas.” This theme had followed statements that Lincoln had made during the campaign, regarding the issue, “Do not give in; do not compromise. Do not choose some middle ground between right and wrong. Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith let us dare to do our duty.”

This worldview was reflected in the crowd that day, as members of Springfield’s African American community took part in the rally. There were also folks of different social backgrounds, projecting the idea that America is a patchwork of people who should all have a voice. This love of Lincoln and his ideas are memorialized in Springfield today. To learn more about these monuments and museums click here.

Chicago supports Special Olympics with Duck Derby

Did you know tens of thousands of rubber ducks splash down into the Chicago River to race every year? Chicago celebrated its 20^th annual duck derby this year, featuring a rubber duck race along the Columbus Drive Bridge. Participants can adopt a duck starting at $10 with a chance to win prizes for every entry. Proceeds from the derby benefit the Special Olympics Illinois programming and supports a community of over 24,000 athletes. This year over 82,000 ducks were adopted, accounting for $434,204 raised.

Once the race is over the ducks are collected by volunteers and staff to be cleaned and readied for their next derby. The derby festival includes games, food trucks, souvenirs, photo opportunities and music.

Events like this raise awareness for Special Olympics while also providing an engaging fundraiser to benefit Special Olympic athletes.

Animal Sanctuaries in Illinois

With summer in full swing, now is a perfect time to explore some of the unique wildlife and animal sanctuaries across Illinois!

If you’re looking for an outstanding birdwatching opportunity, Stewart Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Mason County is a sanctuary with over 1,500 acres of beautiful wetlands. It serves as a key resting location for teal, pintails and mallards as they migrate across Illinois. Another great option for wetland animal sightings in Illinois is Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge in Havana. Whether you’re looking for a wetland, bottomland forest or prairie, this refuge has hikes in a variety of ecosystems, all available to the public. It is home to a variety of herons and swans and if you’re lucky, you may even see a river otter or beaver while you’re there.

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Illinois earns top rankings as a leading destination for business and innovation

Illinois has once again proven its strength as a business and innovation hub, securing top positions across multiple categories in Business Facilities’ 21st Annual Rankings. Demonstrating leadership in emerging and established industries, Illinois ranked in the top ten across eleven categories, showcasing our state’s economic momentum.

Claiming the number one spot in nuclear energy, Illinois also achieved impressive rankings in Foreign Direct Investment, Agribusiness, Exports, Wind Power, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Job Hubs, Cybersecurity Talent, Solar Power, Film and Television, AI Job Market, and Medical Technology. These distinctions highlight Illinois’ robust infrastructure, skilled workforce and forward-thinking policies designed to foster economic growth and innovation.

Notably, Illinois improved its position in categories like Foreign Direct Investments and AI Job Hubs, reflecting significant progress from previous years. The state sustained high performance in areas like exports, wind power, agribusiness and cybersecurity, while making new appearances in solar power and medical technology rankings.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, credited the state’s comprehensive infrastructure, workforce capabilities, and attractive incentive programs as key factors behind Illinois’ sustained economic success. This highlights Illinois’ dedication to thoughtful policymaking and investments that drive continued expansion and attract businesses across various sectors.

These latest achievements build upon Illinois’ recent recognitions from CNBC, Site Selection Magazine, and Area Development, each highlighting Illinois as a favorable state for business investment, corporate expansion, and innovative technology industries.

With strategic growth initiatives and fiscal improvements—including multiple credit upgrades and significant private sector investments—Illinois is well-positioned to maintain its reputation as a leader in in an ever changing workplace landscape.