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 Among the most prominent events planned are kick-off
and curtain-raising events at Navy Pier and at the matinee
performance of “Hamilton” Sunday, Dec. 3. On Monday, Dec. 4,
counties and municipalities statewide will host simultaneous
flag-raising ceremonies at their primary municipal buildings.
The Illinois Bicentennial Commission will host a ceremony at
McCormick Place in Chicago that day as well.
On Aug. 26, 2018, which is the 200th birthday of the Illinois
Constitution, the governor will lead an Illinois Bicentennial Route
66 motorcycle ride between Chicago and Edwardsville. In East St.
Louis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Center will host an Illinois
Bicentennial Celebration to include community vendors, musical
entertainment and a focus on St. Clair County’s rich history. In
Metro East, radio station KSHE95 will sponsor an Illinois
Bicentennial rock concert. The Bicentennial Plaza will have its
official unveiling in Springfield.
On Dec. 3, 2018, the Illinois Bicentennial Birthday Party takes
place at the United Center in Chicago.
A series of Bicentennial projects also are underway.
#IllinoisProud Awards will be the signature legacy project. It is
the commission’s goal to fund at least one $5,000 award in every
Illinois county. Money will be raised through a combination of
corporate sponsorship, philanthropic donations and crowdfunding
campaigns.
In partnership with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs,
HONOR 200 will recognize veterans across the state who go above and
beyond serving their fellow veterans and their communities. HONOR
200 nominations can be submitted by mail or on-line at
www.illinois.gov/veterans.
Awardees will be recognized at the Bicentennial Birthday Party.
The BORN, BUILT & GROWN campaign will honor the tremendous people,
places, and things that make Illinois so enduringly strong, kind,
and beautiful.
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The Office of the Secretary of Education and Illinois State Board
of Education are partnering with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and
the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to create a K-12 education
curriculum to be offered to schools across the state. It features a historical
timeline, a teacher’s guide, a “wallboard” for display in school and digital
learning components.
A “Road Scholars Speakers Bureau” will travel the state in conjunction with the
Illinois Humanities Council.
Bicentennial Plaza — A REALTOR® Community Partnership — is a $2 million
investment in downtown Springfield which will help realize a long-held vision of
a pedestrian walkway linking the Abraham Lincoln Home Historic Site with the
Illinois Executive Mansion and state Capitol.
Finally, as part of the Illinois Bicentennial celebration, First Lady Diana
Rauner will unveil the newly renovated Illinois Executive Mansion, which is
undergoing an entirely privately funded $15 million renovation.
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] |
