I Like Illinois

Illinois leading Midwest in high-speed Internet access

Details: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 06:13 PM

broadband Illinois is a large state with big towns, small cities, many small towns and a huge city. The population and infrastructure where you live may determine your access to many of life’s resources.

One such resource important to most of us is an ability to use high-speed broadband for Internet access. With so many square miles of Illinois consisting of fields, farms and forests, you might think people who live in those areas are too rural or too remote to conduct personal and professional business easily online. In the early years of the Internet, that old, slow dial-up may have been your only option in rural areas.

Top 10 family-friendly things to do in Illinois

Details: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 05:31 PM

From museums and man-made marvels to the wonders of the natural world, Illinois has near-limitless opportunities for family fun. Check out this list for some of the top kid-friendly spots and activities in Illinois.

1. Chicago Museums

It is rare for states to have as many world-class museums as Illinois. Chicago’s Museum Campus features Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and The Field Museum within walking distance. The Art Institute is also nearby.

Learn More:

<Shedd Aquarium | Adler Planetarium | Field Museum | Art Institute

2. Sports

Illinois is home to the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, and many minor league and college teams across the state.

View sports facilities in Illinois

3. Lincoln History

Illinois is the Land of Lincoln with many historic sites including Springfield museums, Lincoln’s Home, Old State Capitol, and New Salem.

Learn More:

Lincoln Museum | Lincoln’s Home | Old State Capitol | Lincoln’s Tomb | New Salem

4. Shawnee National Forest

Shawnee National Forest offers hiking, camping, biking, and horseback riding in Southern Illinois.

Learn more about Shawnee National Forest

Crain’s: “Illinois actually is a pretty normal state when it comes to the overall tax burden imposed on business”

Details: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 11:02 AM

crains-tax

Illinois seems to get a bad reputation for its tax burden on businesses. However, a recent report from the Anderson Economic Group LLC found that Illinois was ranked 27th for its tax burden on businesses. The tax burden is based on income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes, unemployment compensation charges, license fees and other costs.

Illinois is a nationwide leader in wind energy

Details: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 04:15 PM

wind

While Chicago is known as the Windy City, the entire state of Illinois is harnessing the natural power of the wind to produce clean energy and reduce pollution. The first wind farm in Illinois, Mendota Hills near Paw Paw, was activated in 2003. In the decade since this first installation, wind energy capacity in Illinois showed extraordinary growth. Illinois law pushed this wind innovation. By 2025, under the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard, 25 percent of Illinois electricity must come from renewable sources. In 2013, wind energy accounted for 4.7 percent of all electric generation in Illinois, enough energy to power the equivalent of 880,000 homes.

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