Living

Long before Illinois became a state, Native American communities called this land home, building thriving settlements, developing rich cultural traditions and shaping the region’s history. During Native American Heritage Month and beyond, Illinoisans can learn more about that history by exploring historic sites across the state.

One of the most remarkable is Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site near Collinsville. More than 1,000 years ago, Cahokia was home to one of the largest Indigenous cities north of Mexico, with a peak population of nearly 20,000 and covered roughly 4,000 acres. Today, the park – which is Illinois’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site – preserves a little over 2,000 acres including 72 of the remaining mounds.

In Fulton County, Dickson Mounds Museum near Lewistown explores thousands of years of Native American life in the Illinois River Valley. Through educational exhibits, archaeological discoveries and walking trails, visitors can learn about the communities that lived along the river and their lasting connections to the land.

Along the Mississippi River in Whiteside County, Albany Mounds State Historic Site preserves evidence of Indigenous communities dating back thousands of years. The site includes surviving burial mounds associated with the Middle Woodland period – between 200 BCE and 300 CE – offering an important connection to the region’s early history.

Further south, Kincaid Mounds State Historic Site near the Ohio River preserves remnants of another significant Illinoisan settlement. Once a center of community life and regional trade, the site helps illustrate the connections between Indigenous communities throughout the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys.

These places are more than reminders of the past. They offer opportunities to recognize the ingenuity, traditions and enduring influence of Native peoples whose descendants and communities continue to contribute to Illinois today.

This Native American Heritage Month, take time to explore Illinois’ Indigenous history, learn about the people who shaped our state and appreciate the cultures that remain an important part of its identity.

Enrollment in career and technical education programs at Illinois community  colleges is up nearly 6% this fall, reaching its highest level in nine years as more students turn to career-focused training and education.

CTE enrollment has increased every year since fall 2022, growing 26.1% over that period. The programs now account for 27.7% of all community college enrollment statewide, with 75,208 students pursuing training designed to prepare them for careers in high-demand industries.

Statewide community college enrollment totaled 271,845 students in fall 2026, a slight 0.7% decrease from fall 2025 following four years of growth. Despite the decline, enrollment remains 0.2% above pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the system’s sustained recovery and the enduring demand for accessible, affordable higher education across Illinois.  

For the third consecutive year, public universities in Illinois have seen increased enrollment with more than 190,000 students enrolled during the fall semester of the 2026-27 academic year. This is the highest enrollment since 2015.

Total student enrollment across Illinois’ 12 public universities increased to 190,114 students, up 287 students from last year.

Chicago baseball fans may be putting away their postseason gear for the winter, but 2026 gave the city something it has rarely experienced with both the Cubs and White Sox playing postseason baseball.

The two teams reached the postseason in the same year for just the fourth time in history, joining the 1906, 2008 and 2020 seasons. The Cubs and Sox also clinched bracket positions on the same day within minutes of each other, giving fans across the city reason to celebrate. This year was the first year that both teams clinched a spot in the playoffs on the same day.

Although neither team reached the championship round, this season gave fans of both teams plenty to look forward to in the future.

For the Cubs, this marks the second consecutive year the team got to play postseason baseball, building on a campaign that featured an MVP-caliber year from star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. The Cubs overcame injuries to their pitching staff, periods of inconsistency and a difficult summer to secure a postseason berth.

The Cubs run ended quickly, however. The team had the best offense in the National League in 2026 and scored the most runs but was held to just one run in two games against the San Diego Padres.

On the other side of town, the White Sox made history. The team became the first ever to make the playoffs immediately after having back-to-back seasons with 100 losses. In fact, the team set the record for the most losses in major league history in the 2024 campaign where they lost 121 games.

The Sox came out blazing in the Wild Card round against the Houston Astros, sweeping the series in two games on the road. The dagger came in game two when second baseman Chase Meidroth hit a three-run home run late in game two that gave the Sox the insurance needed to finish the job.

The Sox would ultimately lose to the Cleveland Guardians in the next round in heartbreaking fashion, setting the record for strikeouts in a postseason game with 21 strikeouts in game five. Nonetheless, the team overachieved in virtually every metric. With all the young talent, and a strong farm system, the best is yet to come at 35th and Shields.

People flock to Chicago from all around the world to marvel at the unique architecture found all across the city. While many visitors take in Chicago's infamous skyline from the Chicago River or one of the observation decks or rooftops, during Open House Chicago you can get a behind-the-scenes look at the city’s most iconic and historical sites.

Open House Chicago, hosted by the Chicago Architecture Center, is one of the largest architecture and urban festivals in the world. Taking place Oct. 17 – 18, this free public festival offers behind-the-scenes access to more than 200 sites in over 30 neighborhoods.