A celebration of heritage and community at the Warren County Prime Beef Festival

In the heart of West‑Central Illinois, the town of Monmouth prides itself on being the “Prime Beef Center of the World,” and its annual Warren County Prime Beef Festival stands as a testament to that claim. This community celebration brings together generations of cattle producers, local families and visitors to recognize the foundational role of agriculture in the area’s past, present and future.

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Bikers on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago!

This past week, Chicago’s lakefront welcomed bikers from all over the country to the annual “Bike the Drive” event, giving cyclists of all skill-levels and ages the chance to hit the road on a 30-mile loop normally designated for cars only.

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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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