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 Illinois Bicentennial will pay tribute to the people,
places, and things that are being BORN, BUILT & GROWN in the
nation’s fifth most populous state.
“This is an opportunity to celebrate all that has been great in our
first 200 years and lay the foundation for 200 more years of growth
and prosperity,” Rauner said. “Illinois is home, and the
Bicentennial gives us a chance to reflect on how we can continue to
make it great for our children and grandchildren.”
“Today marks Illinois’ 199th birthday,” said Lori Healey,
co-chairwoman of the commission and chief executive officer of the
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. “Illinois Bicentennial
will be a yearlong celebration between Dec. 3, 2017, and Dec. 3,
2018, which will be our state’s 200th birthday.”
“The Bicentennial is a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to fall in love
with Illinois all over again,” said Gloria Castillo, co-chairwoman
of the commission and president and CEO of Chicago United.
“Throughout the next 365 days, Illinois Bicentennial will pay
tribute to the people, places, and things that are being BORN, BUILT
& GROWN here every single day.”
The Navy Pier festivities mark the beginning of events and projects
that the Commission has planned to kick off the celebration around
the state. In addition to the Winter WonderFest ceremony, events
today and Monday include:
“Raise the Curtain on Illinois Bicentennial,” where 100 winners of
the commission’s 100 Day Countdown Video Contest will share the
stage with the governor and the cast of “Hamilton” following this
afternoon’s matinee performance.
The Illinois Bicentennial Exhibit will be previewed today at the
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield, with
music provided by the Illinois Symphony.
A simultaneous Bicentennial flag-raising takes place at
municipalities around the state at noon Monday, Dec. 4, to note the
beginning of the state’s 200th year. The Illinois Municipal League
and United Airlines partnered to provide complimentary flags to
counties and municipalities statewide, and the Commission will also
host a flag raising ceremony at McCormick Place at noon on Dec. 4.
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During his kickoff address, the governor encouraged all citizens
to participate in the celebration, to visit illinois200.com and to use the
hashtag #IllinoisProud on their social media posts.
Fifth Third Bank hosted today’s festivities at Navy Pier, where the Bicentennial
logo is featured on the Navy Pier Centennial Wheel and on signage throughout
Winter WonderFest today. Guests can also purchase merchandise commemorating the
state’s milestone and have pictures taken with “Big Lincoln,” near the Illinois
Bicentennial and Office of Tourism booths.
Also in attendance at today’s press conference were Bicentennial Commission
co-chair Randy Dunn, president of Southern Illinois University System; Illinois
Municipal League Executive Director Brad Cole; United Airlines Vice President
State and Local Government Affairs Dan Lynch; UPS Delivery Driver Don Bence;
Navy Pier President and CEO Marilynn Gardner; and Fifth Third Bank Executive
Leader of Civic Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Francia Harrington.
ABOUT ILLINOIS BICENTENNIAL
200 years ago, on December 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the Union.
Since then, the people of Illinois have banded together to transform this
once-barren and uninviting land into a remarkable place of awe-inspiring beauty,
accomplishment, and culture. The Illinois Bicentennial is a year-long
celebration of what has been BORN. BUILT. GROWN. in the state and an invitation
to fall in love with Illinois all over again. Citizens are encouraged to
participate in the celebration by visiting
www.illinois200.com and using the hashtag #IllinoisProud.
Partners and event and project managers planning activities between December 3,
2017 and December 3, 2018 can apply for endorsement to become an official part
of Illinois Bicentennial by visiting the PARTICIPATE page at
www.Illinois 200.com for more
information.
[Office of the Governor Bruce Rauner]
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