Illinois ranked second in the nation for Hallloween decorations

Halloween is that special time of year for families and children, and many go all out to make the most of the spooky holiday- some even starting the decorating process in the spring and summer. With all the work people across Illinois put into their displays, it is no wonder that Illinois is so highly ranked nationally in states that decorate the most for the holiday. Many residents put in a personal touch, including bats over windows, ivy that slinks over walls, spooky spiders, a bubbling cauldron or even some crumbling tomb stones.

While many residents take great pride in their costumes and decorations, many do not know the length some of their neighbors go to for the holiday. After analyzing more than 1,000 Halloween decoration search terms on Google, a study by Lombardo Homes says 41 % of Americans start decorating for Halloween in the first week of October. The survey, which polled 998 homeowners, also found that Illinois ranks second for states that decorate the most for Halloween. In keeping with the state’s many patches of farmland, the most popular Halloween decoration in Illinois is a scarecrow. The top five states that decorate the most are Utah, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas and New Mexico. According to the study, the average person in Illinois spends $145 per year on Halloween decorations and costumes for themselves and their family. In addition, the most popular Halloween costume in Illinois is a witch. Whether you are an adult or a child, Halloween is a magical time in Illinois and there are so many different ways to have fun and express your creativity.

To check all out the full results of the study and compare your spooky season to other states, view the full study.

Did You Know: Illinois is home to a one-of-a-kind fossil

• Did you know?
• Illinois History
• Fossils

Paleontologists recently celebrated National Fossil Day, a day to educate populations about the scientific value of the study of fossils and the importance of preserving them for future generations. The nation recognizes National Fossil Day during Earth Science Week in October every year to promote public awareness of historic remains. Fossil discovery is not uncommon to Illinois. In fact, Illinois has recognized one particular fossil for being a unique state treasure.

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Did you Know: Scott's law named after fallen Chicago firefighter

Scott’s law is named after Scott Gillen, a Lieutenant in the Chicago Fire Department who was struck by a drunk driver in December of 2000, while assisting at a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway. He served 14 years on the department. According to the incident summary provided by the Chicago Fire Department, Gillen was dispatched to assist at an accident scene. Upon arrival, the fire department's truck positioned itself to protect the accident scene from traffic. Gillen was retrieving a piece of equipment from the truck when a passing car illegally crossed the center lane to cut in front of a semi-truck traveling in the outside lane. The car struck the semi-trailer truck, fatally injuring Gillen. While tragic, the incident inspired lawmakers to take action to improve safety conditions for first responders. As a result, “Scott’s law” was born.

Scott’s law is Illinois’s “move over” law. A move over law, requires all motorists to move over when they encounter any stopped or disabled vehicle or a vehicle that is displaying flashing warning lights. A person found to be in violation of Scott's law faces a fine of up to $10,000.The offender may be found to violate the move over law if they are driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs at the time of the violation. In addition, the law applies when motorists enter a highway construction area. Illinois has one of the strongest move over laws in the country because drivers are actually required to change lanes while in many other states the driver does not have to change lanes or the law is unclear. After a series of Scott’s law crashes in 2019, the Illinois General Assembly passed a law strengthening Scott's law to include every vehicle, not just emergency vehicles and tow trucks. Lawmakers also established a “move over” task force to study violations of Scott's Law and to help better protect emergency personnel working on highways and interstates. Illinois State Police also launched an interactive map showing detailed reports from each Scott's Law violation so drivers can be more aware on the roads. Despite being born of tragedy, laws like Scott’s law help keep Illinois first responders and construction workers safe each year.

Anyone seeking additional information can contact Safety_Education@isp.state.il.us or call 217-782-6639.

National Youth Confidence Day

• Children
• Illinois History

Today, October 20, marks the celebration of the energy, spirit, and potential of young people across the nation. Research shows that young people benefit greatly from close, caring relationships with adults who serve as positive role models, but millions of youth lack supportive and sustained mentors. Establishing role models encourages youth to follow in the footsteps of responsible and exceptional individuals. To celebrate National Youth Confidence day, recognize a number of positive role models that hail from Illinois:

Miles Davis, born in Alton, Illinois, became a national music sensation for his experimental approach to jazz. He shaped modern improvisational music by following his melodic intuition and becoming a standard for future generations of musicians.

Walt Disney, the famous director, producer, animator, and screenwriter who created many children’s favorite characters, was born in Chicago. Disney spent his life starting his very own studios and creating ads for magazines, cinemas, and newspapers until he attracted the attention of renowned distributors. Disney is a shining example of the very words he believed: “All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

Jane Addams, who is featured in the National Women’s History Museum, is an internationally-recognized peace activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. She was the first American woman to receive this honor. She is known for helping found the Hull House in Chicago, the first settlement house in the United States. The house was intended for educated women to share their knowledge, from basic skills to arts and literature, with poorer people in the neighborhood.

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