Celebrating Illinois voices on Women Rock Day

Are you ready to rock? Today is Women Rock Day, which draws attention to the female rockers who have helped shape the rock ‘n’ roll genre. A few of these sirens first took the stage here in Illinois. Read on to learn more about the talented Illinois women who have stepped behind the microphone to make music, break stereotypes and contribute their voices to history.

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Artist of the Month - Biki Chaplain

Biki Chaplain is our September Artist of the Month. Orginally from Texas, Chaplain moved to Southern Illinois in the 1960's. Although she has worked in many mediums throughout the years her favorite to work in is oil because of the quality of the color.

How long have you been an artist or when did you start?

Apparently, I was an artist long before I realized that I was one. In high school, one of my classmates remembered she had gone to school with me in the second grade and remembered me as the girl who could draw the beautiful birds. However, it wasn’t until college that I considered myself an artist.

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ILI turns five! A look back on our most popular stories

• Arts & Culture
• Education
• Illinois History

On this day in 2014, I Like Illinois began sharing positive stories about Illinois and Illinois life. For our anniversary, we wanted to focus on what you, our readers, like most about the Land of Lincoln. Here are our five top stories of the past five years:

5. “Illinois: A state with natural advantages.” This 2015 article is an ode to the resources that Illinois land offers its residents. Transportation routes crisscross Illinois due to its access to waterways and central location among the continental US states, but its rich soil and lush forests make it a lovely place for settling down, too.

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Illinois nabs three of the top 33 BBQ spots in the US

• Arts & Culture
• Tourism
• Chicago

Kansas City, who? Thrillist recently released its list of the 33 Best BBQ Joints in America, and three Illinois establishments made the list: 17^th Street Barbecue in Murphysboro, Lem’s Bar-B-Q in Chicago and BEAST Craft BBQ Co. in Belleville.

At 17^th Street Barbecue, which also operates a location in Marion, offerings range from pork-stuffed potato skins to homemade strawberry shortcake. Owner Mike Mills was inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2010 and is the only pit master in America with the security clearance to board Air Force One.

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