Multiple Illinois cities cited as best places to live in the United States!

This just in! According to a recent U.S. News & World Report, a few of the best places to live in the country, as well as the most affordable places to live and the best places to retire, are right here in Illinois.

The report analyzes the 150 most populous metro areas in the U.S. and named Rock Island, Peoria, Chicago and Rockford as some of the best places to live and to retire. Rock Island and Peoria were also named most affordable places to live.

Rankings were determined through an analysis of public data and user opinions. Additionally, they took into account the job market, the housing market, and other factors that relate to resident satisfaction like crime, the educational level of residents and air quality. Below are the four Illinois cities that made the list and their scores!

If you would like to learn about these cities, you can read the report here.

• 6.4/10 overall Moline-Rock Island, Illinois − Quad Cities ranked #54
• 6.3/10 overall Peoria, Illinois ranked #70
• 5.9/10 overall Chicago, Illinois ranked #123
• 5.7/10 overall Rockford, Illinois ranked #133

Illinois’ Superdawg Drive-In celebrates its 75th anniversary

What was only meant to last one summer has now lasted for three quarters of a century! The Superdawg Drive-In in Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood celebrated its 75^th anniversary on May 2 of this year. The shop is known in the city as a historic destination hot dog stand with a full carhop service. This family-owned business has thrived for decades and has become a staple for residents and visitors alike. U.S. Representative Mike Quigley entered the anniversary into the official Congressional record on May 2. Additionally, 39th Ward Alderwoman Samantha Nugent unveiled an honorary street sign for the original owners called Maurie & Flaurie Berman Way. This sign will be in addition to the already existing and legendary “Superdawg Way” sign on the corner of Milwaukee and Highland avenues.

Flaurie and Maurie opened shop in 1948. What was only meant to be a summer hot dog stand turned into a long-lasting family business. Their daughter and her husband, Lisa and Don Drucker, and their son Scott Berman currently own Superdawg. Flaurie and Maurie were high school sweethearts who opened the stand as newlyweds. Their love for each other, their family and their hot dog stand is still clear today.

Throughout the entire month of May, Superdawg will be giving away $10 gift cards at random. If you are a fan of the Chicago-style hot dog or just a good burger, you should visit their locations today for the chance to win a gift card!

The legacy of Jelani Day lives on

Over a year later, the family and friends of Jelani Day are still grappling for answers as they grieve the loss of their loved one. Despite living with the pain of receiving the horrifying, life-changing news of Day’s passing, the family started the Jelani Day Foundation in August 2022 intended to be an advocate for minorities who are missing and to help families through the traumatic experience in honor of the life and legacy of Jelani Day.

The 25-year-old was found dead in Peru, Illinois in September of 2021. He was reported missing the week before, and was last seen in Bloomington, where he was a graduate student at Illinois State University.

The people who run the “Justice for Jelani Day” Facebook page announced the creation of the Jelani Day Foundation Scholarship for seniors attending Danville High School, Day’s alma mater. The announcement stated, “Jelani had dreams of giving back to his community and being a service to others, and even in his absence that dream will not be unfulfilled”.

This month, JDF was pleased to celebrate the launch of the Jelani Day Foundation Scholarship and honored to award their very first recipient.

Read more …

Illinois has seven of the best brunch restaurants in the country!

Do you like your eggs over-easy, scrambled or sunny-side-up? Well, any way you like them, you are guaranteed some of the best breakfast food in the nation at seven different restaurants in the Chicago area. OpenTable released its list for 100 Most Popular Brunch Spots in the U.S. using more than 13 million diner reviews. The top 100 span over 22 states, with Illinois claiming seven of the spots.

Whether you are a fan of pancakes, omelets or biscuits and gravy, Illinois has got you covered. The top seven best brunch locations include 3 Arts Club Café, Café Ba-Ba-Reeba, Summer House Santa Monica, The Dearborn, Beatrix and Mason Sabika. Beatrix is located in Oak Park and Meson Sabika is located in Naperville. The other five restaurants can all be found in Chicago.

Every location offers their own unique décor, ranging from humble café to chandeliers. You can dine indoors or outdoors at these breakfast locations. Some also serve dinner once the time for brunch is over. Menus may vary, but at every location you will find the classic pancakes and bacon with eggs.

Just in time for Mother’s Day, take your family down to some of the best brunch restaurants in town! See the full list of 100 Most Popular Brunch Spots in the U.S. here.