With summer on the horizon and COVID-19 vaccination rates rising, many Americans may be looking for opportunities to hit the road. Luckily, the Illinois Office of Tourism has decided to give them a lot of options.

The Office of Tourism and Governor JB Pritzker have newly announced their “Time for Me to Drive” multi-state ad campaign, which shows people suffering from cabin fever the many opportunities Illinois offers for tourists with every interest. Their newly updated website, “Enjoy Illinois,” features more than 60 road trip itineraries and highlights things to do and places to see from across the state.

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People visiting Mattoon, Ill., may be surprised to learn they won’t be able to find a Whopper at the local Burger King. This is because the Burger King in Mattoon is the only Burger King restaurant in the U.S. that is owned and operated independently of the more widely known Burger King franchise.

In 1952, two local residents, Gene and Betty Hoots, purchased a successful ice cream shop named Frigid Queen, and within a few years had expanded their menu to include hamburgers and french fries. When deciding what to call their expanded business, Betty felt that every queen needed a king, and so the couple selected the new name of Burger King. The Hootses registered the name with the state in 1959 and successfully secured the state trademark in Illinois.

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On May 3, 1973, construction on the Willis Tower, then known as the Sears Tower, was completed. The Willis Tower is located in the heart of downtown Chicago and is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Standing at 1,451 feet, it is the tallest building in Chicago and the third tallest in the United States. Its 110 stories are home to more than 100 businesses spanning industries including law, insurance, transportation, finance and more.

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Calling all Marvel movie and comic book fans! The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry has a massive Marvel exhibit going on until October 24, 2021. The exhibit is thought to be the largest of its kind.

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Casey, Illinois may be a small town of under 3,000 people, but the town has gained a big reputation due to the work of one local business owner.

In an effort to give back to his community, Jim Bolin and his team at Bolin Enterprises, Inc. set about creating a series of over-sized objects for residents and tourists of the city to enjoy. Thanks to the work of Bolin and his crew, the city of Casey now offers visitors an opportunity to experience more than 30 super-sized attractions around the city.

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