The Paris Summer Olympic Games are finally here – and an impressive 39 athletes representing the United States are from Illinois! Later this summer, Paris is also hosting the 2024 Paralympic Games from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.

Only three U.S. states will send more Olympic athletes to the 2024 Paris Games than Illinois. California will send 120 athletes, Florida has 42 and Texas has 41, according to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Illinois athletes will compete in multiple sports including soccer, wrestling, volleyball, rowing, rhythmic gymnastics and more.

Sports combine recreation, community and entertainment, making them one of the favorite activities for people of all ages, especially in Illinois.

According to SmileHub, a non-profit charity rating organization, Illinois is the 4^th best state for sports lovers in the U.S. SmileHub compared all 50 states using 20 key metrics related to three main themes, including sports interest and success, sports careers and income and access to sports.

Illinois ranked 6^th for sports interest and success, 8^th for sports careers and income, and 5^th for access to sports – with an overall ranking of 4^th and a total score of 48.5.

Sports are extremely popular in Illinois due to various reasons. Illinois is home to one of 11 cities across the U.S. that have a team in each of the five major professional sports leagues. Illinois is also home to two professional women’s sports teams, the Chicago Sky in the Women’s National Basketball Association and the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League. Illinois also has prominent minor league sports teams and pre-professional sports clubs in soccer, baseball, hockey and more.

Community gardens – we all have heard of them, but how exactly do they work and why are they important? Started as a way to make farming easier, community gardens have been around for centuries and provide a unique opportunity to strengthen ties and friendships as well as help food pantries and food-insecure individuals.

These plots of land are spaces to grow fresh produce, herbs or other flowers and plants in a friendly and safe environment. Many community gardens offer educational programs for youth to learn about the importance of gardening and sustainability.

Illinois has countless of community gardens across the state. Here are just a few that might be located near you:

Northern Illinois

• DeKalb County Community Gardens - 2280 Bethany Rd., DeKalb, IL
• Glencoe Community Garden - 385 Old Green Bay Rd., Glencoe, IL
• Forest Park Community Garden - 631 S. Harlem Ave., Forest Park, IL
• Dorchester Community Garden - 6953 S. Dorchester Ave., Chicago, IL
• Dresser Gardens-Community Rental Garden - 6925 S. Mulford Rd., Cherry Valley, IL
• Advocate Sherman Hospital Community Garden - 1425 N. Randall Rd., Elgin, IL

A northwest suburb of Chicago was deemed the safest and most affordable city in the U.S., according to a new ranking by GoBankingRates. Elgin, which lies mostly within Kane County with a portion in Cook County, was awarded the top spot on the ranking.

Cities were ranked by crime metrics, cost of living, median household income and home values, among other data. The ranking noted Elgin’s low number of property and violent crimes compared to other cities. Additionally, the ranking cited Elgin’s median household income of $85,998, the average monthly mortgage cost of $1,840 and total monthly cost of living of $4,008.

Elgin, founded in 1835, has a population of about 114,800, making it the sixth largest city in Illinois. Known for its historic architecture and landmarks from the Victorian era, many homes in Elgin still have a one-of- a-kind charm.

With the summer weather heating up, Illinoisans can enjoy a variety of water activities at William W. Powers State Recreation Area and other local parks. These recreational sites offer opportunities to get outdoors while enjoying nature on land and water.

Located on Wolf Lake on Chicago’s southeast side at the Illinois-Indiana state line, the William W. Powers State Recreation Area is a 160-acre recreation park featuring a visitor center, picnic area, blinds for hunting and space for other summer activities like boating and fishing. In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly dedicated the site to honor the memory of William W. Powers, a former state legislator that was remembered for his investment in the promotion of recreation for local residents.

Since its establishment, William W. Powers State Recreation Area increased from 160 acres to 580 acres, of which 419 acres are water. The park’s Wolf Lake provides an expansive six miles of shoreline for fishing, fully stocked with largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, bullhead, carp, walleye, and hybrid muskie.