Located in southern Illinois, the heavily wooded Cave-In-Rock State Park sits across high bluffs overlooking the scenic Ohio River. The park is named after the 55-foot-wide cave that was carved out of limestone rock by water thousands of years ago.

Steeped in rich history dating back several centuries, Cave-In-Rock once served as shelter for Native Americans and French explorers. During the late 18th century and early 19th century, it was rumored to be frequented by outlaws. This reputation led the cave to be used as the backdrop for a scene in the 1962 movie “How the West Was Won.”

Board members of the World Wildlife Fund named Evanston to lead the United States in observance of Earth Hour, an annual celebration of sustainability efforts.

U.S. News & World Report ranks every college in the United States annually, and four Illinois schools’ graduate programs ranked among the nation’s top 10 in their disciplines for the upcoming 2016 school year.

Joel Ryser became passionate about art at a young age and currently teaches at Moline High School. Outside of school, his latest interest is Hot Glass Inc., a non-profit organization he founded to teach art to teenagers. He has touched countless lives through his work as an educator, and you can read on to learn more about his artwork.