Illinois named 4th best state for sports lovers

Sports combine recreation, community and entertainment, making them one of the favorite activities for people of all ages, especially in Illinois.

According to SmileHub, a non-profit charity rating organization, Illinois is the 4^th best state for sports lovers in the U.S. SmileHub compared all 50 states using 20 key metrics related to three main themes, including sports interest and success, sports careers and income and access to sports.

Illinois ranked 6^th for sports interest and success, 8^th for sports careers and income, and 5^th for access to sports – with an overall ranking of 4^th and a total score of 48.5.

Sports are extremely popular in Illinois due to various reasons. Illinois is home to one of 11 cities across the U.S. that have a team in each of the five major professional sports leagues. Illinois is also home to two professional women’s sports teams, the Chicago Sky in the Women’s National Basketball Association and the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League. Illinois also has prominent minor league sports teams and pre-professional sports clubs in soccer, baseball, hockey and more.

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Artist of the Month: Ballet Quad Cities

Founded in 1996, Ballet Quad Cities is the longest running fully professional ballet company in the Western Illinois region. Based in Rock Island, the company brings exhilarating performances to the area, often including the Christmas classic, “The Nutcracker,” and their own variations of famous ballets such as “Carmen.”

Alongside their performances each season, Ballet Quad Cities uses ballet as a tool to facilitate lessons in literacy, social-emotional development and physical activity through their outreach program that visits local schools, libraries, youth centers and organizations within the area.

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Countless Community Gardens in Illinois

Community gardens – we all have heard of them, but how exactly do they work and why are they important? Started as a way to make farming easier, community gardens have been around for centuries and provide a unique opportunity to strengthen ties and friendships as well as help food pantries and food-insecure individuals.

These plots of land are spaces to grow fresh produce, herbs or other flowers and plants in a friendly and safe environment. Many community gardens offer educational programs for youth to learn about the importance of gardening and sustainability.

Illinois has countless of community gardens across the state. Here are just a few that might be located near you:

Northern Illinois

• DeKalb County Community Gardens - 2280 Bethany Rd., DeKalb, IL
• Glencoe Community Garden - 385 Old Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, IL
• Forest Park Community Garden - 631 S. Harlem Ave., Forest Park, IL
• Dorchester Community Garden - 6953 S. Dorchester Ave., Chicago, IL
• Dresser Gardens-Community Rental Garden - 6925 S. Mulford Rd., Cherry Valley, IL
• Advocate Sherman Hospital Community Garden - 1425 N. Randall Rd., Elgin, IL

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Elgin ranks No.1 safest and most affordable in the U.S.

A northwest suburb of Chicago was deemed the safest and most affordable city in the U.S., according to a new ranking by GoBankingRates. Elgin, which lies mostly within Kane County with a portion in Cook County, was awarded the top spot on the ranking.

Cities were ranked by crime metrics, cost of living, median household income and home values, among other data. The ranking noted Elgin’s low number of property and violent crimes compared to other cities. Additionally, the ranking cited Elgin’s median household income of $85,998, the average monthly mortgage cost of $1,840 and total monthly cost of living of $4,008.

Elgin, founded in 1835, has a population of about 114,800, making it the sixth largest city in Illinois. Known for its historic architecture and landmarks from the Victorian era, many homes in Elgin still have a one-of- a-kind charm.

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