Did You Know? Today is National Popcorn Day

In honor of National Popcorn Day, today we highlight Mason County, Illinois. Mason County fields include nearly 20,000 acres of land dedicated towards producing popcorn, more than any other county nationwide.

Located in Central Illinois between Peoria and Springfield, Mason County is located in what many call the “Imperial Valley of the Midwest.” In contrast to other farming areas around the state, Mason County fields include a large amount of sand in their soil. With modern irrigation technology, the fields have become plentiful for crops not commonly found in Illinois, including popcorn.

Learn more:
Happy National Popcorn Day: Fun Facts About the Popular Snack
Nation’s top popcorn-producing county in Illinois (AgriNews)

Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. through service

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life to advancing civil rights and justice for African-Americans and other marginalized groups throughout the United States. On Monday, the country will pause to honor his legacy with events scheduled from coast to coast.

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Celebrate National Pizza Week in Illinois

This week is National Pizza Week and we want to celebrate Illinois pizza. It is no secret Illinois has mastered the art of pizza making. The Chicago deep dish is a prime example, but there are great places to grab a slice throughout the state. Here are 10 of the best pizza joints in Illinois.

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Truth in taxes highlighted by recent baseball moves

A star athlete making millions of dollars in St. Louis falls into Missouri’s top, 7 percent tax bracket. Compare that to the flat 3.75 percent income tax in Illinois and you begin to see why the Cubs might be having such success raiding the Cardinals’ of their prized free agents this off-season.

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