Every year, on the Friday before Labor Day, we celebrate College Colors Day. This day is an opportunity for people to showcase their school pride by wearing the colors of their alma mater or favorite college or university. It's a celebration of the rich academic culture and diverse educational opportunities that Illinois has to offer.

Reposted from August 24, 2023

The origins of high school football in Illinois date back to the 1880s. Some of the state’s most tradition-rich programs originated before 1900, including schools such as Oak Park, East Aurora, Freeport, Woodstock, Joliet, West Aurora, Pontiac, Pittsfield, and East St. Louis. Many of the greatest legends in the history of the sport played high school football in Illinois, including Red Grange, Otto Graham, Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, and Kellen Winslow, to name a few. 

It’s late summer in Illinois and that can mean extreme heat and high humidity. A dangerous combination for people and pets alike. 

While we do all we can to keep ourselves and our families cool, let's not  forget about our four-footed friends. The best way to keep your pets safe during a heatwave is to follow these steps from the Humane Society:

One of Illinois’ most popular state parks could be expanding soon.

For over 100 years, Illinoisans and visitors to our state have flocked to Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County to take in the natural beauty, the hiking trails and the history. In 1911 the state purchased much of the land and made Starved Rock Illinois’ second state park.

Illinois Constitution Day is observed every August 26. This date marks the ratification of Illinois' first state constitution in 1818, a milestone moment in Illinois’ journey to statehood. This day now offers an opportunity to reflect on the significance of this historic event and how it continues to shape the governance and identity of Illinois. House Bill 2834 from the 102nd General Assembly, which establishes Illinois Constitution Day, was introduced in 2021 to ensure that the significance of the state's constitutional history is recognized and celebrated statewide.

   

SENIORS

      House Republicans champion legislation to help seniors.  Illinois House Republicans continue to step up to protect and support the senior community through a series of legislative efforts aimedat enhancing the lives of seniors across the state. Representatives Ryan Spain, Jeff Keicher, Kevin Schmidt and other House Republican legislators have introduced and championed bills that address key issues affecting older adults, from healthcare and housing to financial stability and driver safety.

State lawmakers don't just attend legislative sessions at the Capitol, cast votes on proposed laws and go home for the rest of the year. They actually spend a considerable amount of time assisting constituents, studying state issues and conducting outreach in their districts. What's more, these activities go on throughout the year and generally heighten during the summer months after the General Assembly finishes its work in May.