Commemorating the 15th anniversary of Former President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign announcement

Last week, we celebrated the 15-year anniversary of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign announcement, which took place right here in Springfield. On Feb. 10, 2007, Obama announced his presidential campaign at the Old state Capitol Building, and he went on to become the first African American president in American history.

Fifteen years later, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Old State Capitol Foundation announced plans to place a historical marker on the Old State Capitol Lawn to commemorate Obama’s historic moment.

A year and a half after his presidential campaign announcement, Obama returned to the Old State Capitol to announce then-U.S. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, would be running alongside him. Like his previous announcement, this gained international attention.

On Nov. 4, 2008, Obama was elected the 44^th president of the United States. Prior to becoming president, Obama was a U.S. Senator representing Illinois.

 “[Lincoln] chose to announce his candidacy at the Old State Capitol because of its historic ties to Abraham Lincoln, but he was also making history himself,” said David Joens, president of the Old State Capitol Foundation. “That history needs to be recognized, and a permanent marker will do that.” Obama took a historic place and increased its historic significance. 

The historic marker has been completed and will be put into place later this year.

Abraham Lincoln’s life and legacy continue to live on over 200 years later

• Abraham Lincoln

Feb. 12 is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Lincoln is a historical figure not only in Illinois, but across the country. Today, on what would have been his 213th birthday, we celebrate his impact.

Lincoln was born in 1809 to Nancy Hanks Lincoln and Thomas Lincoln and was one of three children. In 1830, Lincoln and his family moved to Illinois, near Decatur from present-day Gentryville, Indiana.

In 1834, Lincoln joined the Illinois General Assembly, representing Sangamon County as a member of the Whig Party. Two years later, Lincoln received his license to practice law. He became a firm partner to John Todd, who was a cousin to Lincoln’s future wife, Mary Todd. Lincoln married Mary Todd in 1842 and the following year, Mary gave birth to their first son, Robert Todd Lincoln. Shortly after, Lincoln bought his first home and opened his own law practice in Springfield. In 1846, Lincoln was elected into the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1860, Lincoln was selected to represent the Republican National Convention in the 1860 Presidential election. On March 4, 1861 Lincoln was inaugurated into office as the 16th president of the United States. The following year, he issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, and the final version was issued in 1863. Later that year, after the Union won the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. This speech became one of the most important speeches in American history.

On April 15, 1865, just days after the end of the civil war, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre. Over 150 years after his death, his legacy continues to live on. His home and tomb are located in Springfield as National Historic Sites. Lincoln home is open to the public to visit daily between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. More information can be found here. For more information on visiting the Lincoln tomb read here.

Did you know? Little Village Arch is now an official Illinoisan landmark

• Little Village
• Landmark
• Slideshow

After the long overdue recognition of such a central piece of the Chicagoan Mexican community, Little Village Arch has been named an official landmark.
Built in the 90s, the Little Village Arch was devised by Adrián Lozano, a Mexican architect. His art was brought to life when the Balti Contracting Co. began building the structure. The concept of the arch was birthed by 1987 Alderman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. The intention of the art piece was to mirror the classical arched entrances that frame the streets of Mexico.

A distinguishing trait is the large bronze clock positioned in the top center of the Little Village Arch. In 1991, this item was donated by the former Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari during an in-person visit to Chicago. The clock is from Relojes Centenario, a renowned watch and clock factory, shop, and museum, in Zacatlán, Mexico.

As a result of this architecture and its cultural significance, the neighborhood in which the arch is located has received a designated name. This arch is often referred to as the gateway to the Mexican capital of the Midwest. This is due to its large Mexican and Mexican American population. Comparatively, the Latinx community composes almost a third of the Chicago population.

Located at 3100 W. 26th St. in Chicago, the Little Village Arch presents a doorway into a unique and thriving neighborhood with rich history. According to Chicago records, it is also a commercial hotspot for tourism and opportunity to appreciate Mexican authenticity. It is two miles of taquerias (taco joints), panaderias (bakeries), and mom-and-pop shops. In respect to revenue, Little Village is ranked second in generating the most profit throughout the city of Chicago.

This is the first time an architect of Mexican descent has received recognition from the city of Chicago for an architectural structure of their creation. It is a consequential triumph for the Mexican community residing within its scope. It is a pillar of honor, cultural significance, resilience, economic strength, and artistry.
As stated on the arch, “Bienvenidos A Little Village. Y Bienvenidos A Illinois.” – “Welcome to Little Village. And Welcome to Illinois.”

Illinois is booming in entrepreneurship

• Business
• Slideshow

Illinois is leading the Midwest, and is among the top ten states nationally, in business startups, according to recently-released data from the Business Formation Statistics Report.

The Business Formation Statistics are produced by the U.S. Census Bureau and a number of economists affiliated with other accredited federal agencies. BFS collects and presents accurate data concerning new emerging businesses and startup applications across the states. The Business Formation Statistics Report for Illinois reflected outstanding statistics in the year 2021. This agency began collecting information in 2004, and since then, it has recently documented Illinois as having its highest-ever number of business startups.

Within 2021, Illinois became the center of 198,827 business startups. From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 to the end of 2021, there was a 69% increase in business startups and entrepreneurship. As a result, Illinois ranked first in the Midwest in respect to startup creation. According to the statistics, Illinois was rated as the leading Midwest state due to having more than 40,000 startups than its closest ranked state, Ohio.

In addition, Illinois was recognized as the sixth state for highest number of business startups in 2021. Illinois followed closely behind Florida, California, and Texas. Overall, on a national level, Illinois placed eighth in startup creation growth. The drastic 69% increase from 2019 to 2021 in entrepreneurship in Illinois is profoundly telling of its residents’ desire to propel forward and contribute to the replenishing of the economy. It is quite noteworthy to acknowledge Illinois’ placement as the largest state among the top ten leading states for startup growth in the United States.