The tech community is excited about a quickly growing startup scene outside of the industry’s traditional strongholds in the Bay Area and New York City. Chicago’s startup community has been generating higher returns on investments than anywhere else in the country. Technology entrepreneurs in Chicago continue to create and develop businesses, making Silicon Prairie an up-and-coming force in the national technology and innovation scene.

According to a report by investment research company PitchBook, Chicago is currently the most profitable city for startups in the United States. Of the 31 Chicago startups analyzed by PitchBook, 81 percent yielded between 3 and 10 percent return on an investment. With 31 startups that meet PitchBook’s profitability requirements compared to Silicon Valley’s 613, of which 72 percent yielded between 3 and 10 percent return. Chicago remains a relatively small hub for technology entrepreneurship. However, the fact that startups in Chicago are achieving such impressive return rates suggests that the technology industry in Chicago is growing at a steady rate.

Investors and entrepreneurs in Chicago have resources available to them including the tech incubator 1871, which has helped businesses grow and innovate during the past five years by providing them with space and connectivity, education, early-stage venture capital and customers. Located in downtown Chicago’s famous Merchandise Mart, 1871 is now the home of more than 400 startups.

Another good resource is the website Built in Chicago. It connects job seekers with startups and reports on news in the technology sector. The daily job listings on Built in Chicago illustrate the benefit of the city’s startup scene on an individual level.

Chicago’s prospects as a technology hub have been rising in recent years. Industry experts point to the city’s historically multifaceted business community, robust and innovative revenue streams and a steady stream of local tech talent to explain why Chicago is prospering. Its big-city location adjacent to transportation hubs and institutions of higher education is another reason why Chicago has attracted and retained talented people from around the world as the technology sector has steadily grown. The companies being founded and incubated in Chicago are steadily growing, creating good jobs as they expand and innovate.

The health and continued growth of Chicago’s technology sector is crucial to the state of Illinois and its economic well-being. The technology sector is becoming an increasingly important part of the global economy by creating good-paying jobs and valuable companies. It has revolutionized and revitalized local economies and it continues to benefit the locales in which it flourishes.

Chicago is uniquely positioned to become the next big tech hub. Expect to hear more about Chicago in the future as a diverse community of companies continues to expand, solve everyday problems, and create good jobs for a 21st century economy.

SALISBURY ─ George Colin was a folk-artist sensation. He left a wonderful legacy and beautiful treasures behind when he passed. His work is full of bright colors, animals, nature and abstracts. His paintings of Illinois farms are infused with Prairie State pride.

In 1990, his paintings were presented to President George Bush by Illinois Governor Jim Thompson. President Bush was so impressed by his work that he sent a letter to Colin expressing his pleasure.

Colin’s art stands as a testament to his creative genius and love of life. His art has found its way into metropolitan galleries and everyday homes. Winnie Colin, his wife of nearly 48 years, told The State Journal-Register on Wednesday that the time has come to sell some of her husband’s works, as well as other items the couple collected during their years together.

Since 2014, many of his paintings, sculptures and other artworks were on display at his gallery on Mill Street in Salisbury. The sale will be held at the same gallery this weekend, giving art lovers a chance to celebrate the life and work of George Colin, a renowned artist and devoted husband.

The art sale is semi-chronologically ordered to document the life of George Colin. There are image previews of some of Colin’s artwork on The State Journal-Register’s website.

\Who: Colin Folk Art

What: The life and work of George Colin

Where: 6111 Mill Street, Salisbury, IL 62677

When: February 4-5

For here more information about Colin Folk Art’s sell.

Click here for original artist post.

As yesterday marked the beginning of Black History Month, there are a series of events happening all month long, that highlight various individuals and the contributions they’ve made to American history.

The John A. Logan Museum located in Murphysboro, will host an essay contest for elementary, middle, and high school students in the Murphysboro area.

The contest recognizes and celebrates the many achievements of black Americans and their roles in U.S. history. Contestants are encouraged to focus on notable African Americans and the Civil War.

All essays must be submitted by February 15. The contest winners will receive a cash prize and be announced at a grand reveal, on February 26, 2017.

Because the contest celebrates Black History Month, the topics will focus on notable African Americans and the Civil War.

For more information please visit: http://thesouthern.com/calendar/community/essay-contest--the-john-a-logan-museum-murphysboro/event_9ea9a0a4-d9ba-11e6-962a-308d99b2b460.html

This July, Alicia Williams, a senior attending University of Illinois Springfield will represent Illinois for Ms. Wheelchair USA 2017. She was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Illinois from a field of 11 contenders.

Williams says she is honored to represent the Prairie State at the Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant in Ohio this July. She is advocating for more accessibility in businesses, especially since she is graduating this summer and intends to look for meaningful employment.

Employment is a crucial component in life. A qualified applicant should have an opportunity to work at their desired establishment, but this is not the case for many people with disabilities. Their opportunities are reduced by a lack of accessibility.

If businesses are inaccessible for a section of the population, that is detrimental for business growth and the patrons affected. Her message is potent and speaks on behalf of a community that seldom has the opportunity to participate in pageants.