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			 “The Illinois Bicentennial is an opportunity for us 
			to come together and celebrate our great state,” said Governor 
			Rauner. “I can’t think of a better way to kick things off than 
			reflecting on the influential history that brought us here.” 
			 
			Illinois high school and college students will have a chance to help 
			kickoff the Bicentennial Celebration by entering a video contest 
			called Something to Learn about Illinois History. 
			 
			From July 17 to August 31, high school and college students 
			registered in Illinois can submit 45-60 second videos on an Illinois 
			historical fact, event, place or person at www.illinois200.com. 
			 
			One hundred winners will be chosen and will be posted each day as 
			part of the 100 Day Countdown on Illinois200.com, Bicentennial 
			social media platforms and on the digital platforms of media 
			partners WGN Radio Plus and the State Journal Register. 
			 
			
			  
			The countdown will begin on Constitution Day, August 26, 2017 and 
			run up to the State’s birthday December 3, 2017, the first day of 
			the 200th year.  
			 
			BMO Harris Bank is the sponsor of the 100 Day Countdown to the 
			Bicentennial Celebration.  
			 
			“We are proud and excited to support the 100 Day Countdown, 
			especially as it is occurring during a year in which BMO is 
			celebrating its own bicentennial,” said David Casper, President and 
			CEO, BMO Harris Bank. 
			
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The winners of the Something to Learn about Illinois video 
contest will each receive two tickets to the December 3, 2017 Chicago matinee 
performance of Hamilton, the start of the Illinois Bicentennial celebration.
			 
Public events to kick off the Bicentennial on December 3 will 
take place with family activities on Navy Pier. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential 
Library and Museum in Springfield will be open for free and attendees will have 
a chance to preview the 2018 Bicentennial exhibit. 
			 
Illinois was recognized as a State on December 3, 1818 and the 
official Illinois Bicentennial will be celebrated in 2018 with events planned 
across the State on Constitution Day August 26, 2018 and the grand birthday 
celebration at the United Center on December 3, 2018.  
 
Statewide partners and event and project managers who are planning activities 
between December 3, 2017 and December 3, 2018 can apply for endorsement by 
Illinois Bicentennial. Visit the PARTICIPATE page at
www.illinois 200.com for more 
information and to submit an Application for Endorsement. 
				 
			[Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner] 
			
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