The independent Burger King of Mattoon, Illinois

• Food
• Mattoon
• Restaurant

People visiting Mattoon, Ill., may be surprised to learn they won’t be able to find a Whopper at the local Burger King. This is because the Burger King in Mattoon is the only Burger King restaurant in the U.S. that is owned and operated independently of the more widely known Burger King franchise.

In 1952, two local residents, Gene and Betty Hoots, purchased a successful ice cream shop named Frigid Queen, and within a few years had expanded their menu to include hamburgers and french fries. When deciding what to call their expanded business, Betty felt that every queen needed a king, and so the couple selected the new name of Burger King. The Hootses registered the name with the state in 1959 and successfully secured the state trademark in Illinois.

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This day in history: The Willis Tower’s construction was completed

• Chicago
• Sears Tower
• Willis Tower

On May 3, 1973, construction on the Willis Tower, then known as the Sears Tower, was completed. The Willis Tower is located in the heart of downtown Chicago and is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Standing at 1,451 feet, it is the tallest building in Chicago and the third tallest in the United States. Its 110 stories are home to more than 100 businesses spanning industries including law, insurance, transportation, finance and more.

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I Like Illinois’ featured city: Rockford

• Rockford

Rockford, located in the far northern part of the state, is the second largest city outside of the Chicago Area and the fourth-largest city in Illinois. The city used to be called “Halfway” because of its location between Chicago and Galena.

Four rivers run through Rockford, dubbed “The Forest City” due to its 20,000 acres of green space that include Rock Cut State Park. The park has become a haven for boaters and campers who enjoy its pristine lakes and hiking trails.

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AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!

• Chicago
• Museum
• Avengers
• Marvel

Calling all Marvel movie and comic book fans! The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry has a massive Marvel exhibit going on until October 24, 2021. The exhibit is thought to be the largest of its kind.

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