Though the Chicago Bulls didn’t make it to the championship, the state of Illinois is still well represented in the NBA Finals. Between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, three different players from their rosters were born in Illinois.

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, guard Iman Shumpert was born in Oak Park and attended Oak Park and River Forest High School.

For the Golden State Warriors, small forward Andre Iguodala was born in Springfield and attended Lanphier High School. He’s been in the NBA since he was drafted in 2004.

Shaun Livingston, a guard for the Warriors, was born in Peoria and attended Peoria Central High School. He was also drafted in the 2004 draft alongside Iguodala.   

Learn more:
Iman Shumpert Bio
Andre Iguodala Bio
Shaun Livingston Bio

Michael Crichton, best known for authoring “Jurassic Park” and creating the hit 1990s medical drama “ER,” was born in Chicago in 1942. He would go on to become one of the most successful authors of all time, selling over 200 million copies of his books, thirteen of which were made into films.

Crichton was highly educated, earning his Bachelor’s and MD from Harvard University. He released his first novel, “The Andromeda Strain,” while still in medical school under the pseudonym John Lange.

Crichton received several awards throughout his lifetime, earning the Writer’s Guild of America Award for “ER” in 1995 and an Emmy for “ER” in 1996.

Learn more:
Michael Crichton – IMDb Profile
Michael Crichton – The Official Site 

If you are like most Americans, your refrigerator probably contains a wide assortment of dairy products, from the standard butter and milk to different kinds of yogurt and cheeses.

In celebration of all things dairy and the importance the foods play in living a healthy lifestyle, June is celebrated around the country as National Dairy Month.   

Illinois plays a large role in dairy production, with more than 900 dairy farms spread across the state. An average cow in Illinois produces an astonishing six gallons of milk a day – which adds up to more than 220 million gallons annually.

Looking for recipes, tips and techniques for cooking with dairy? Be sure and check out useful cooking information from the Food Network.

Learn more:
Dairy Production in Illinois
National Dairy Council

Ella Joyce, the actress and producer who played the hilarious mom on the popular comedy My Wife and Kids, was born in Chicago on June 12, 1954.

Most of Joyce’s career has been focused on theater work. She has performed in theaters around the country and has received many awards along the way, including the 2006 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Supporting Role in the play Crumbs from the Table of Joy. 

Joyce has appeared in Preacher’s Kid, Set it Off, Our Family Wedding, and episodes of Seinfeld and The Jamie Foxx show. To add to her talents, she has even authored a paperback book titled “Kink Phobia: Journey Through a Black Woman’s Hair.”

Learn more:
Ella Joyce – IMDb
Kink Phobia: Journey Through a Black Woman’s Hair

National Doughnut Day first started in the 1930s as a fundraiser for the Salvation Army’s social service programs.

Today, many doughnut shops across the country celebrate the day with deals and all-day specials.

Be sure and check out these favorites across Illinois:

• Glazed and Infused
  Named Best Doughnut in Chicago 2014 by Chicago Magazine
  Locations in Chicago and suburban Elmhurst and Western Springs
• Calumet Bakery
  “A Family Tradition Since 1935”
  Locations in Chicago and suburban Lansing
• Duke Bakery
  A Metro-East tradition
  Locations in Alton and Granite City
• Mel-O-Cream
  “80 Years of Delicious”
  Locations in Springfield
• Daylight Donuts
  “We Sweeten Your World”
  Located in Quincy

Learn more:
Where to get free doughnuts and rainbow sprinkle shots on Friday – Chicago Tribune