Celebrating Rockford’s sock monkey history

Midway Village Museum in Rockford is hosting its 21st Sock Monkey Madness, which will include a Make-a-Monkey Workshop, sock monkey-themed crafts and games, and tours of The Missing Link Sock Monkey History Exhibit. Don’t worry if your sock monkey needs repair: the Sockford General Hospital can fix it up for you.

Believe it or not, the sock monkey’s creation can be traced to Rockford. John Nelson, a Swedish immigrant, patented an automatic knitting machine in 1868 that could mass-produce socks, which had not been done before. He then started the Nelson Knitting Company in 1880 and introduced “Nelson Socks,” which were brown socks and also called “Celebrated Rockford Hosiery.”

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100 years on Route 66

Route 66 turns 100 years old on Nov. 11, 2026! On Feb. 9, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Department of Agriculture joined the Illinois Route 66 Centennial Commission and tourism partners from across the state to celebrate the official kickoff of the Route 66 Centennial, marking 100 years since the creation of the highway. Also known as the “Mother Road,” Route 66 begins in Chicago and runs through the heart of Illinois — connecting communities and travelers for a century.

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Illinois named top destination for business expansion and relocation

International business publication Site Selection Magazine has ranked Illinois No. 2 in the nation for corporate expansion and relocations for the fourth consecutive year. At the same time, Chicago earned the title of the nation’s top metro area for the 13^th year in a row, reinforcing the state and city’s reputation as a premier destination for business growth.

Illinois continues to top the lists of major economic development rankings, including being named No. 1 in the Midwest for workforce development. In 2025, Illinois recorded 680 major business expansions or relocations, up from 664 in 2024, while also maintaining its No. 2 national ranking for projects per capita for a third consecutive year.

State-led initiatives like competitive incentive packages, site readiness investments and robust workforce programs, along with global trade missions, have bolstered Illinois’ prominence as an attractive state for businesses to locate and expand. 

Major 2025 investments include Pure Lithium’s relocation from Boston to Chicago, Damera Corporation’s first U.S. electric bus assembly plant in Peoria and Rivian’s $120 million investment to create a supplier park in Normal. Cronus Chemicals committed to a $2 billion fertilizer facility in Tuscola, while Silesia and Epic Pharma Solutions also expanded their Illinois presence.

Illinois is also solidifying its role as a leader on quantum technology with the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago, anchored by PsiQuantum. With 10 credit upgrades since 2021 and continued investments in key industries, Illinois is cementing itself as an economic powerhouse, ready for business.

Black History Month spotlight: Sergeant Ellsworth Dansby Jr.

As Black History Month comes to a close, we proudly honor the legacy of a “Soy City” native whose life embodied courage, determination and service – Sergeant Ellsworth Dansby Jr. of Decatur.  

Born in Decatur in 1914, Dansby developed a fascination with airplanes at an early age. At 12 years old, he flew his first solo flight after teaching himself the fundamentals of aviation. He later received formal training at Decatur Airport, earning his pilot accreditation and logging more than 100 hours in the air.

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