Fun at the Fair!
Opening Day at the Marshall/Putnam County Fair Kick-off Dinner did not disappoint! We celebrated great food, friends, and fellowship. The Knapp family’s tractor display was definitely a crowd favorite. Congratulations and thank you to all of the volunteers!
State Parks
Illinois is home to some of the most beautiful state parks in the Midwest. Here’s a look at 12 of the most-visited state parks in Illinois.
These are the 12 most popular state parks in Illinois (pjstar.com)
Professional Licensing Renewals
The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is reminding individuals with certain professional licenses currently up for renewal to start the renewal process before their license expires.
Several professions, such as accountants, physical therapists, psychologists and others have licenses that will expire on September 30, 2024.
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/renewals/defaultssl.html
Poor Policies Stagnating Economy
We have a lot to be proud of in the great state of Illinois, including all the resources to make our home an economic leader. Unfortunately, decades of poor public policy has put us at a disadvantage.
Editorial: Illinois’ economic performance is miserable (chicagotribune.com)
Illinois State Museum to collect oral histories of the Route 66 “Mother Road
With the Route 66 centennial coming up in 2026, the Illinois State Museum is looking for people who had an interaction with America’s iconic open-road highway prior to its decommissioning in 1985. By the 1980s, Route 66 was no longer a trunk road because various Interstate highways connected Chicago, Los Angeles, and all the points in between. U.S. Route 66 is now marked in Illinois as a “Historic Route,” with brown signs signaling its historic interest. Many State and local installations up and down the highway, including sites maintained by the private sector, further set off and celebrate the historic roadway.
The State Museum’s history staff is asking people with ties to Route 66 to contact them and send them emails. Potential storytellers include:
- People who have memories of driving on Route 66.
- People who have memories of operating car-related businesses, or watching their families operate businesses, along the iconic highway. “Car-related businesses” include restaurants, hotels, and auto service businesses.
- Workers who helped build, maintain, or reroute Route 66.
- First responders with duty stations along or adjacent to the highway.
People who volunteer to tell their stories may be asked to be interviewed and video-recorded. Those who are interviewed for this project may have their stories posted online to share with the world. As the launching point for the westward-pointed Route 66, Illinois is determined to be recognized as the root and anchor state of the historic highway.
Youth Alcohol Awareness Summit
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) will be hosting a Youth Alcohol Awareness Summit (YAAS) on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Illinois State Fair.
This is a great opportunity for youth, parents, and community members to get informed about alcohol prevention, alcohol safety, and the alcohol experience from the POV of the youth.