Celebrate June as National Dairy Month: Discover Illinois’ Dairy Heritage

June is National Dairy Month, making it a perfect time to celebrate Illinois' rich dairy heritage. Our state is home to many family-owned farms and delightful ice cream shops, each offering unique stories, flavors, and experiences that bring joy to both locals and visitors.

If you have a sweet tooth, Illinois boasts some beloved ice cream establishments. A must-visit destination for dairy enthusiasts is Marcoot Jersey Creamery in Greenville. This seventh-generation farm offers visitors the opportunity to tour its facilities, sample fresh artisanal cheeses, and meet its friendly Jersey cows. The creamery also prioritizes sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, highlighting the commitment of Illinois farmers to responsible agriculture.

Oberweis Dairy, based in North Aurora, is known throughout the state for its delicious ice cream and glass-bottled milk. Their factory tours offer visitors a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes process of the bottling and making of these delicious products. Additionally, Jarling's Custard Cup in Champaign has delighted generations with its flavorful frozen custard, making it an iconic destination in Illinois even being featured on the Today show.

Additionally, the Elgin History Museum offers a unique exploration with its "Dairies to Prairies" project. This exhibit shares how Elgin once played a pivotal role in dairy history, with their local farmers. Visitors can discover how the area evolved from dairy pastures into suburban communities as well as the modern day efforts to restore natural prairies.

National Dairy Month is an excellent opportunity to explore Illinois' vibrant dairy community. From visiting local farms and tasting homemade ice cream, to learning about the history of dairy production, there is something enjoyable for everyone. Take the opportunity this June to experience the rich dairy traditions that make Illinois truly special.

Pope Leo has deep roots in Illinois

Robert Francis Prevost has become the 267th occupant of the throne of St. Peter and he will be known as Leo XIV. Though he spent much of his life abroad, Pope Leo XIV hails from the Chicago area, where he grew up in Dolton just south of the city and attended a Catholic church and school on Chicago’s South Side.

Chicagoans quickly searched to figure out where Pope Leo XIV fit into the Windy City, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Catholics. Was he a fan of the White Sox or the Cubs? Was he from the city or the suburbs? More crucially, where did he attend church in his early years?

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History Comes Alive

The 16th Annual History Comes Alive summer experience is kicking off in Springfield! Starting Friday, June 6 through Aug. 9, Abraham & Mary Lincoln will lead a cast of characters on a trip back in time. This is a chance for people of all ages to meet the Lincolns at historic sites throughout the city and learn about their lives in Springfield.

From historic portrayals at locations such as the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, the Historic Old State Capitol, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to a Flag Lowering Ceremony at the Lincoln Tomb with the 114th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry Reactivated, visitors are invited to become a part of living history. Listen to Abraham deliver some of his most famous speeches at the Lincoln Depot, meet and greet both Mary Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant.

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Artist of the Month: Miriam Paz

Chicago native Miriam Paz, better known by her stage name “DJ Miriam,” has been a trailblazer for Latina women in the music industry during her six-year long career as a DJ.

Throughout the years, DJ Miriam has gained national recognition. In 2022, DJ Miriam was the only woman-DJ to headline the Sueños Music Festival, the largest Latin music festival in the Midwest, held annually in Chicago’s Grant Park.  Prior to headlining Sueños, DJ Miriam opened for Bad Bunny, who is recognized as the world’s biggest Latino artist, during his Ultimo Tour Del Mundo stop in Chicago.

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