Notable birthdays: Distinguished Illinois figures born in April

Spring is finally here and we have much to celebrate, including these notable figures born in Illinois this month! They say a state’s greatest pride is its people – and Illinois certainly has much to boast about. Here are this month’s birthdays:

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Spring into the season with Illinois flower shows

Springtime in Illinois brings longer days and warmer temperatures, but most importantly, nature begins to bloom and the state landscape transforms, bringing mesmerizing sites.

In honor of the beginning of spring, here are a few flower shows to welcome the new season:

Spring Floral Show at the Washington Park Botanical Garden – Springfield

Celebrate the beauty of spring at the Washington Park Botanical Garden! From March 22 to April 13, immerse yourself in vibrant floral displays displaying the season’s most stunning blooms. This free annual event is a perfect way to witness nature’s rebirth. Visit the Springfield Park District’s website for more details.

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Naperville named America’s best city to live in for 2025

Naperville has been ranked the No. 1 city to live in America for the second year in a row according to Niche rankings top 50 best places in America to live.

Niche surveyed over 50,000suburbs and neighborhoods to find the best places to live in the U.S.  On top of best city to live, Naperville was ranked first in cities to buy a home, raise a family and best public schools. Coming with the territory Naperville also was selected as best place to live in Illinois.

Naperville, founded in 1831 originally as Naper’s Settlement, experienced a population boom in the 1980s and 1990s. This boom was largely attributable to its location within the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor. Companies like Nokia, BP, Nicor, Edward Hospital, Kraft Foods and ConAgra have labs and offices in Naperville.

The city boasts a robust library system, art and film festivals, historical preservation and recreation through the Naperville Park District. Naperville even boasts a river walk and Centennial Beach, a quarry turned swimming hole. Naperville also contains several colleges and university satellite campuses including College of DuPage Community College, Devry administrative headquarters, Northern Illinois University satellite campus and Indiana tech.

The city has attracted many young professionals and families and is sure to continue growing in the coming years. The other top five cities to live in Illinois are Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Vernon Hills, and Kildeer. The remainder of the top 20 were Chicago neighborhoods, suburbs and towns in northern Illinois.

National Medal of Honor Day: James Lewis Day

March 25 is recognized as National Medal of Honor Day.  The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest award for military valor in action. Symbolized within each medal are the values each recipient displayed in the moments that mattered — bravery, courage, sacrifice and integrity, as well as a deep love of country and a desire to always do what is right.

The Medal is authorized for military service members who  risk their lives in combat above and beyond the call of duty.

Illinois has had the great privilege to honor over 200 brave recipients of the Medal of Honor from all branches and ranks of the military.

President Bill Clinton presented James Lewis Day, who served as a United States Marine Corps Major General during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, with the Medal of Honor on Jan. 20, 1998.

Corporal Day was born Oct. 5, 1925, in East St. Louis. He enlisted in the Marine Corps as part of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division. He was presented with the Medal of Honor in recognition of his actions in combat on May 17, 1945 in Okinawa.

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