Veterans Day, since November 11th, 1919, has been celebrated annually in the United States as a way to show gratitude to those who have selflessly served in one of the branches of the United States Armed Forces.

The holiday grew out of the commemoration of Armistice Day, the Department of Veterans Affairs says, when fighting between the Allied countries and Germany ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It was to have been the end of “the war to end all wars," and is observed annually on Nov. 11, no matter what day of the week that date falls. 

Every year on October 28th, we come together as a nation to recognize and celebrate the brave men and women who stand on the front lines during our most challenging moments. National First Responders Day is a time to honor the firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and other emergency personnel who respond to calls for help, often risking their own lives to protect and serve their communities. 

The “White Squirrels of Olney” in southern Illinois are a population of albino Eastern gray squirrels that have become a local mascot for the community. A rare occurrence for this species, these unique squirrels, characterized by their white fur and pink eyes, are considered a tourist attraction and are protected by town ordinances, which grant them the right-of-way on public streets. The town's identity is strongly tied to its white squirrel population, which can be seen in the city's logo, statues, and local shops (Welcome to the city of Olney, IL). 

Illinois politics is no stranger to corruption. Considering our state’s history, the past few years have brought an unfortunately unsurprising wave of scandal that shook public trust and exposed blatant abuses of power. From the Capitol Dome to Chicago City Hall, a multitude of indictments and convictions have made one thing clear: Illinois has an ethics problem, and the time for action is now.

State Representatives Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro), Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich), Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), Jed Davis (R-Yorkville), and Marty McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) held a press conference this week highlighting the looming budget pressures, wasteful spending, and the need for Illinois DOGE implementation.

Between 1883 and 1929, Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish immigrant turned one of the richest men in the world, donated roughly $350 million (over $6.4 billion today) to build over 2,500 public and academic libraries across English-Speaking countries.

In the United States, Carnegie issued grants for the construction of 1,795 public and academic libraries. Carnegie issued 105 grants for public libraries in Illinois, building 106 total public libraries and five institutional libraries. Illinois was awarded the third most grants in the country, trailing just behind California and Indiana.

Every year, National Agriculture Day reminds us of the crucial role agriculture plays in our daily lives. From the food on our plates to the clothes we wear, agriculture is the foundation of modern society. This year, as we celebrate National Ag Day on March 18, let’s take a closer look at the significance of agriculture, with a special focus on Illinois, a leader in agricultural production.

When our county needed them, Veterans stepped up answering the call to serve with distinction. Our nation’s Veterans swore a solemn oath to support and defend our Constitution and through their courage, sacrifice and commitment, they defended our freedoms. Veterans have earned our undying gratitude and our ongoing support. Illinois House Republicans believe it is not enough to just honor these heroes on Veterans Day: They deserve our recognition every single day of the year. What’s more, they deserve policymakers who will go the extra mile to ensure Veterans receive the benefits and support they have more than earned.

December 7, 1941, will be forever known as ‘The Date That Will Live in Infamy’ in the United States. President Franklin Roosevelt uttered those words in response to the heinous and deliberate attack by the Empire of Japan on the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. The surprise attack on an early Sunday morning killed 2,403 U.S. service personnel, including 50 servicemen from Illinois. The attack also injured 1,178 people, and included with the deceased were 68 civilians. 

Since the Revolutionary War more than 41 million Americans have served in our Nation’s military. The first Veterans were part of the Continental Army created in 1775 when colonial militias formed a common army under command of George Washington. Since then, the United States has declared war 11 times and fought in conflicts around the world.

The United States and China have one of the world’s most important and complex bilateral relationships. Since 1949, the countries have experienced periods of both tension and cooperation over issues such as trade, climate change and Taiwan. One of the most recent examples was earlier this year, when a Chinese-operated ‘spy balloon’ flew across the United States. U.S. officials claimed the balloon was spying on sensitive military sites, while China claimed the balloon was a civilian weather monitoring craft that had accidentally veered into U.S. air space. The Biden administration ordered the Air Force to shoot down the balloon only after the balloon reached the Atlantic Ocean off the southeast coast.