Barack Obama’s political career in Illinois helped shape his presidency
By Chris Kaergard Of the Journal Star A decade ago, he claimed victory in the presidential campaign from Grant Park in Chicago. He announced his run — and later his […]
Illinois sent more than 350,000 soldiers to Europe during World War I
By Tony Reid Of the Herald & Review Artie Bennett, a Marine from Clinton, was cut down by a hail of bullets 100 years ago in a far-flung foreign field, […]
Chicago is known for Capone, but Illinois gangsters had much wider reach
By Barbara Vitello Of the Daily Herald When it came to organized crime in Illinois, Chicago-based Prohibition-era gangsters loomed large during the 1920s and 1930s. Al Capone, Frank Nitti, Lester […]
Saukenuk was once home to Black Hawk and more than 6,000 Sauk
By Roger Ruthhart Saukenuk was well-known as one of the largest native American villages in North America, but one of its residents, the warrior Black Hawk, was even better known. […]
Bloomington’s David Davis Mansion home to Abraham Lincoln’s strongest advocate
By Julia Evelsizer Of the (Bloomington) Pantagraph Grand manors make up the skylines of many Illinois communities, but the history encapsulated at the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington holds it […]
Despite headquarters move, Peoria still home to 12,000 Caterpillar workers
By Steve Tarter Of the Journal Star of Peoria Peoria wasn’t always a company town. It was a distillery town, a farm implement town and a river town before the […]
Lincoln turns tide in debates against Douglas in Galesburg
By Owen W. Muelder For the Register-Mail of Galesburg The Lincoln-Douglas Debates are among the most important events in the United State’s history. The seven debates were conducted throughout Illinois […]
Illinois’ long romance with trains endures
By Marni Pyke Of the Daily Herald Trains brought Abraham Lincoln’s body home to Illinois, transported southern blacks escaping Jim Crow laws to Chicago, and now carry a labor force […]
The Chicago Bears NFL franchise began in Decatur as the Staleys
By Justin Conn Of the Decatur Herald & Review A.E. “Gene” Staley’s successful corn manufacturing company in Decatur was already producing starch, glucose, sugar and syrup in 1919 when it […]
Fort Armstrong, Rock Island Arsenal have defended nation since 1816
By George Eaton In summer 1814, skirmishes between the United States and British-backed warriors under the leadership of Black Hawk flared up and down river from Rock Island. Since 1803 […]