Illinois representation in 2022 Olympic Winter Games

The Olympics are one of the most viewed international sporting events to date. Throughout its continuance, there has been longstanding Illinoisan representation. Over the years, numerous Illinois athletes have earned the opportunity to compete with equally talented opponents. Illinois produces solid and motivated contenders who make their home state very proud. This year, seven Illinoisans will be competing on Team USA in Beijing for the 2022 Winter Games. They include:

Megan Bozek – A Buffalo Grove native, Bozek has been making remarkable strides in the hockey world. From serving as team caption of her college team, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and helping them attain D-1 national championship titles to winning four gold medals and two silver medals while competing in the World Championship. As a 2014 Olympic medalist, she returns to the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.

Jason Brown – Raised in Highland Park, Brown has been figure skating since he was three years old. He has participated in the 2014 Sochi Winter Games in which his team received a bronze medal, and he finished in ninth place on the individual level. He is currently set to participate in the figure skating singles event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games.

Jesse Compher – At only 22 years old, this Northbrook native has been presented with two medals in the World Championship and is now taking part in her first Olympic Games. As an active member of the Colorado Avalanche organization, she continues to train and hone her hockey skills as she prepares for the 2022 Winter Games.

Kendall Coyne-Schofield – From Palos Heights, Coyne-Schofield is a three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic medalist. She is also the recipient of eight consecutive World Championship medals. With her dedication to hockey and good sportsmanship, she earned the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award in 2016 and continues to flourish in the sport she loves at the 2022 Winter Games.

Savannah Harmon – Harmon was born and raised in Downers Grove. As the recipient of a silver medal during the 2021 World Championship, Harmon will be participating in the hockey event at her first Olympic Games this year.

Alexa Knierim – With Addison roots, this figure skater is a two-time Olympic medalist. One of these medals was presented to her team recently during the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. She partakes in the event for figure skating pairs.

Abbey Murphy – Starting her career at six years old with the help of her neighbor, this Evergreen Park local became a three-time member of the U.S. Under-18 Women’s Select Team and skated in three IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championships in which she won two medals. Shortly after, she joined the U.S. Women’s National Team and was presented with a silver medal as a result of her display of athleticism at the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship. At an astonishing age of only 19 years of age, Murphy is making her mark in hockey history by playing in the 2022 Winter Games.

Tune in to the 2022 Beijing Winter Games and root for your fellow Illinoisans.

Commemorating the 15th anniversary of Former President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign announcement

Last week, we celebrated the 15-year anniversary of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign announcement, which took place right here in Springfield. On Feb. 10, 2007, Obama announced his presidential campaign at the Old state Capitol Building, and he went on to become the first African American president in American history.

Fifteen years later, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Old State Capitol Foundation announced plans to place a historical marker on the Old State Capitol Lawn to commemorate Obama’s historic moment.

A year and a half after his presidential campaign announcement, Obama returned to the Old State Capitol to announce then-U.S. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, would be running alongside him. Like his previous announcement, this gained international attention.

On Nov. 4, 2008, Obama was elected the 44^th president of the United States. Prior to becoming president, Obama was a U.S. Senator representing Illinois.

 “[Lincoln] chose to announce his candidacy at the Old State Capitol because of its historic ties to Abraham Lincoln, but he was also making history himself,” said David Joens, president of the Old State Capitol Foundation. “That history needs to be recognized, and a permanent marker will do that.” Obama took a historic place and increased its historic significance. 

The historic marker has been completed and will be put into place later this year.

Abraham Lincoln’s life and legacy continue to live on over 200 years later

• Abraham Lincoln

Feb. 12 is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Lincoln is a historical figure not only in Illinois, but across the country. Today, on what would have been his 213th birthday, we celebrate his impact.

Lincoln was born in 1809 to Nancy Hanks Lincoln and Thomas Lincoln and was one of three children. In 1830, Lincoln and his family moved to Illinois, near Decatur from present-day Gentryville, Indiana.

In 1834, Lincoln joined the Illinois General Assembly, representing Sangamon County as a member of the Whig Party. Two years later, Lincoln received his license to practice law. He became a firm partner to John Todd, who was a cousin to Lincoln’s future wife, Mary Todd. Lincoln married Mary Todd in 1842 and the following year, Mary gave birth to their first son, Robert Todd Lincoln. Shortly after, Lincoln bought his first home and opened his own law practice in Springfield. In 1846, Lincoln was elected into the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1860, Lincoln was selected to represent the Republican National Convention in the 1860 Presidential election. On March 4, 1861 Lincoln was inaugurated into office as the 16th president of the United States. The following year, he issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, and the final version was issued in 1863. Later that year, after the Union won the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address. This speech became one of the most important speeches in American history.

On April 15, 1865, just days after the end of the civil war, Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre. Over 150 years after his death, his legacy continues to live on. His home and tomb are located in Springfield as National Historic Sites. Lincoln home is open to the public to visit daily between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. More information can be found here. For more information on visiting the Lincoln tomb read here.

Did you know? Little Village Arch is now an official Illinoisan landmark

• Little Village
• Landmark
• Slideshow

After the long overdue recognition of such a central piece of the Chicagoan Mexican community, Little Village Arch has been named an official landmark.
Built in the 90s, the Little Village Arch was devised by Adrián Lozano, a Mexican architect. His art was brought to life when the Balti Contracting Co. began building the structure. The concept of the arch was birthed by 1987 Alderman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. The intention of the art piece was to mirror the classical arched entrances that frame the streets of Mexico.

A distinguishing trait is the large bronze clock positioned in the top center of the Little Village Arch. In 1991, this item was donated by the former Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari during an in-person visit to Chicago. The clock is from Relojes Centenario, a renowned watch and clock factory, shop, and museum, in Zacatlán, Mexico.

As a result of this architecture and its cultural significance, the neighborhood in which the arch is located has received a designated name. This arch is often referred to as the gateway to the Mexican capital of the Midwest. This is due to its large Mexican and Mexican American population. Comparatively, the Latinx community composes almost a third of the Chicago population.

Located at 3100 W. 26th St. in Chicago, the Little Village Arch presents a doorway into a unique and thriving neighborhood with rich history. According to Chicago records, it is also a commercial hotspot for tourism and opportunity to appreciate Mexican authenticity. It is two miles of taquerias (taco joints), panaderias (bakeries), and mom-and-pop shops. In respect to revenue, Little Village is ranked second in generating the most profit throughout the city of Chicago.

This is the first time an architect of Mexican descent has received recognition from the city of Chicago for an architectural structure of their creation. It is a consequential triumph for the Mexican community residing within its scope. It is a pillar of honor, cultural significance, resilience, economic strength, and artistry.
As stated on the arch, “Bienvenidos A Little Village. Y Bienvenidos A Illinois.” – “Welcome to Little Village. And Welcome to Illinois.”