The American Kennel Club and the United States Police Canine Association have partnered to create the first ever AKC/USPAC K-9 Detection Dog Challenge, which will feature two Illinois K-9s. This national competition displays the intersection of the work of AKC, the world’s largest purebred dog registry, and the USPAC, the oldest and largest police canine organization in the nation.

The competition showcases the abilities and precision of the K-9s used for police activities, providing viewers with a glimpse of the training these dogs and handlers endure to ensure the protection of our country and its citizens. The event includes 10 narcotics dog teams and 10 explosive detection dog teams. Teams consist of a K-9 and its handler. The teams are scored on the accuracy of the search, the perfection of the alert, which entails telling the handler where the substance is, and the find itself, which is a combination of the ability of the dog and the handler to accurately tell judges where the substance is.
These organizations further the well-being and rights of purebred K-9s that participate in the 22,000 yearly competitions held under the AKC as well as those that are family companions and law enforcement aids.

K-9 Chaos from the Springfield Police Department and K-9 Kyle from the Charleston Police Department and their handlers will face off against 18 other teams to see which can detect their substance quickest. Teams may display police dogs with certification in areas such as General Patrol, Tracking, Protection, Arson, Fish and Game, and Search and Rescue. The competition will be broadcast at 10 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 28 on ESPN2.

One of the most plate-filling sandwiches, the horseshoe, originated in Illinois’ capitol city! The horseshoe features toast on the bottom, a layer of juicy meats, piled with french fries and Springfield’s specialty cheese sauce on top. 

The tasty meal was created by the Leland Hotel’s head chef Joe Schweska in the 1920s. The idea began when Schweska was in need of a new lunch item. His wife Elizabeth had seen a recipe that incorporated a cheese sauce and suggested using it on top of an open-faced sandwich. Schweska knew he had to develop his own sauce recipe using a sharp white cheddar.

The horseshoe is a staple at many Springfield restaurants. Over the years, other cities throughout the state have mimicked the savory meal.

There are a number of restaurants that are well-known for their horseshoe, including D’Arcy’s Pint, Dublin Pub, Westwoods Lodge and Obed & Isaac’s.

For more information, visit EnjoyIllinois.com.

The unique geology of Mississippi Palisades State Park in Carroll County offers tourists and locals an excellent location for outdoor activities year round. Every guest will be sure to find something that interests them during their visit.

Due to erosion from the Mississippi River, the palisades are a one-of-a-kind set of geological features that are visible and accessible from the river. This has made the area incredibly popular for boating and canoeing, both for fishing and sightseeing. However, visitors should be careful if they decide to disembark, as some rock formations have been important enough to be designated U.S. National Landmarks.

Did you know Lincoln Park Zoo is the oldest public zoo in the nation? Chicago’s free zoo got its start after New York’s Central Park gifted two pairs of swans to the zoo in 1868.

Today, the zoo is home to nearly 200 unique species from around the world. The variety of animals is endless, from critically endangered eastern black rhinoceroses to Jamaican iguanas – which were previously thought to be extinct.

Lincoln Park has more than 2,000 individual plants representing more than 1,200 species on their 49-acre landscape that creates an urban oasis home to native birds, frogs, fish, turtles, insects and more.