Illinois is home to the world’s largest catsup bottle, located just 20 minutes from St. Louis in Collinsville.

“The catsup bottle was originally built as a water tower for the Brooks catsup processing plant,” said Mike Gassmann, President and CEO of World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, Inc. “Little did anyone realize that over 60 years later it would become a historic landmark known worldwide.”

As the Tour de France grinds on across the ocean, another group of equally dedicated cyclists pedals on right here in Illinois.

On Thursday afternoon, dozens of bikers clad in matching blue and gray kits rolled into Springfield and stopped at the Illinois Police Officers Memorial on the west side of the State Capitol. The riders were members of the Illinois chapter of COPS, which stands for Concerns of Police Survivors. The group is dedicated to helping survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

The charity ride began earlier Thursday at the Mississippi River in Alton The riders arrived at the Capitol at about 4 p.m. and stopped to rest and reflect at the Police Officers Memorial. After about 30 minutes, the group resumed their ride, heading north. They are due to arrive at Gold Star Families Park and Memorial in Chicago sometime Sunday.
The national COPS organization was founded in 1984, and the Illinois chapter was established in April 2005.

Lincoln Trail State Park is named after the trail Abraham Lincoln’s family followed on the way from Indiana to Illinois in 1831.

The state acquired the first 31 acres of Lincoln Trail State Park in 1936. Today, the park has grown to have 1,023 acres.

Tourists to the Windy City will have an even more impressive view of Lake Michigan from the top of the planned 196-foot Ferris wheel that will replace the current 147-foot wheel, which was installed at Navy Pier in 1995.

From zip-lining in the Shawnee National Forest to amusement parks in Lake County, Illinois offers a number of ways to enjoy the outdoors.