Labor Day in Illinois

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late 19^th century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being.

In 1819, one year after Illinois became a state, the legislature passed the Apprenticeship Act, protecting the rights of minors. Primarily an agricultural state in the nineteenth century’s first decades, Illinois missed the wave of labor activism that swept the East Coast in the 1820s and 1830s, but by 1861 had enough coal miners to serve as the launching point for the first national miner’s union, the American Miners’ Association formed that year in Belleville. In the early 1870s, labor founded the Workingmen’s Party and, beginning in 1877, the Knights of Labor enjoyed great success in a number of Illinois cities. As an important railroad center, Illinois played a significant role in the 1877 national rail strike and troops were sent to Chicago, Decatur, East St. Louis, Galesburg and Peoria.

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Chasing Sunshine: Exploring Sunflower Fields in Illinois

If you are looking to soak in the last days of summer, there is nothing quite like a trip to a sunflower field – and Illinois has some of the best spots in the Midwest to visit. Stretching across acres of farmland, these radiant blooms typically reach their peak between late July and early September, offering the perfect backdrop for family outings, photo sessions, or a peaceful day in nature.

One of the most popular destinations is Richardson Farm in Spring Grove. While known for its corn maze that spans nearly 10 miles of trail, the farm explodes in color come late summer with 13 acres worth of sunflowers in bloom. Guests are invited to walk the fields, take photos, and even cut a few stems to bring home.

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Illinois Tourism in 2024 breaks records

• Tourism
• Grants

From big cities and road side attractions to nature and rural vineyards, Illinois has attracted record breaking tourism in 2024. Illinois’ Office of Tourism has announced over 113 million domestic and international visitors entered the state, spending a record $48.5 billion. This data represents an increase of half a million visitors and $1.3 billion more in spending than 2023.

The record follows significant investment in the travel and tourism industry in Fiscal Year 2025. Over $7 million were invested into 47 entities in the state through Route 66 grants ahead of the Route 66 centennial in 2026. Other types of grants include Tourism Private Sector, International Tourism and Tourism Attractions –  each of these funding events, festivals and attractions in their respective setting.

Here are some popular tourist highlights you can check out from across the state:

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Illinois’ Cultural Districts: An intersection of history and culture

Illinois has a rich history of agriculture, music and more, and it’s thanks to the contributions of Illinoisans over the last few centuries that the state has seen increasing economic value and opportunities available to its residents.

To uplift and highlight these unique contributions, several State-Designated Cultural Districts were announced to highlight and celebrate specific cultural identities and history while also promoting equitable growth and opportunity without generating displacement.

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