Bishop Hill: the Swedish utopia on the prairie

In the heart of the Illinois prairie lies a Swedish settlement that has been preserved as a historic village. Bishop Hill, formed 177 years ago, is still a living, fully functional village with a mayor and fire department. With a population of around 130 people, it remains one of the smallest towns in Henry County. It is the home of the Bishop Hill State Historic Site, a park operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

The Bishop Hill area became a hub for thousands of Swedish immigrants who eventually settled much of the Midwest. The area was founded by Eric Janson, who was known as the Wheat Flour Messiah. Janson, after being jailed for his beliefs, fled Sweden with more than 1,000 followers in 1846 in hopes of avoiding religious prosecution.

Many of the colony buildings were dilapidated at the turn of the 20th century. The Old Settlers, the Bishop Hill Heritage Association and the State of Illinois decided to help save the buildings that were still standing from the original colony. Throughout the 1970s, restoration and preservation began with aid from the Swedish Royal family. Many of the descendants of the original settlers and thousands of volunteers began the hard work to restore the site, and eventually Bishop Hill became a thriving community once more.

Currently there are a number of businesses including a bakery, restaurants, pottery stores and a few gift shops. At the center of the town remains Bishop Hill State Historic Site, the original church built by Janson and his followers, where volunteers hold guided tours throughout the village. There are currently four buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. With tens of thousands of visitors every year from all 50 states, Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, Bishop Hill remains a site to see in Illinois.

Illinois ranked second best in animal protection laws

Man’s best friend, who loyally protects you, is protected by our state! The Animal Legal Defense Fund, the nation’s foremost legal advocacy organization for animals, published the annual U.S. Annual Protection Laws Ranking Report, which ranked Illinois as the second best state for animal protection laws. Dogs, cats, guinea pigs and other adorable companions will find themselves sheltered in Illinois.

Illinois received its second-place ranking due to its numerous animal safeguards. One such law requires all juveniles and animal hoarders convicted of animal cruelty to undergo a psychological evaluation and any necessary treatment. In addition, animals may be included in domestic violence protection orders. Another protection law requires veterinarians and social service professionals to report suspected animal cruelty. Illinois has become a leader when it comes to animal protections.

These laws will have all of your pets’ tails wagging! We want our furry friends to feel safe in our homes and our state, and Illinois achieves just that. Read the full report from the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

University of Illinois Springfield named to Forbes’ Best Affordable Online Colleges list

Earning a bachelor’s degree takes hard work and dedication, and choosing the right school can be difficult. Online schools can be an incredible opportunity for students who are busy in other aspects of life and could use a more flexible schedule. University of Illinois Springfield has one of the best online schools in the nation, according to Forbes Advisor. UIS offers 52 online undergraduate and graduate programs, and currently has 1,961 students taking classes fully online. Fully online students make up almost 40% of the UIS student body.

The pandemic made online learning a more popular and suitable option for many students. While the pandemic also pointed out some of the challenges of online learning, UIS has wonderful and dedicated professors who work hard to provide the highest level of service to their students. UIS’s mission is to provide a uniquely student-centered educational experience both in and out of the classroom through active learning, meaningful research and impactful civic engagement that prepares graduates to contribute fully to society. Their online and hybrid class programs help them to achieve this mission. 

Online undergraduate programs include degrees such as Business, Computer Science, Political Science, Teaching and Psychology. Online graduate degrees at UIS comprise of Business, Cybersecurity Management, Education, Environmental Studies, Legal Studies and Public Health and Administration.

Forbes determined the best online colleges using a collection of data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Choosing the right college can be hard; it lays the groundwork for one’s future. UIS offers an affordable and flexible program that will set its students on the path to their dreams.

Illinois ranks as one of the best states for workforce development

A new report ranks Illinois the number one state for workforce development in the East North Central region for 2022.

The ranking, announced by Site Selection magazine, highlights Illinois’ continued job and economic growth, innovative workforce programs and employment services. The state’s ranking improved from number two in 2021.

Combining information from CNBC, U.S. News and other organizations, the ranking recognizes “states that performed well in a set of measures that gauge workforce-related aspects of states’ overall employment climate.”

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