US EditionIllinois Unveils Plans to Celebrate 250 Years of American Independence
The Illinois America 250 Commission plans events in 68 counties including public art, youth contests, and festivals, with $350,000 invested in statewide public art projects.
- On Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Illinois' America 250 plans at Navy Pier, unveiling a statewide 2026 commemoration with programming, events and education.
- The Illinois America 250 Commission was formed to organize an inclusive, statewide commemoration that educates residents and uplifts local stories about Illinois' role in the nation.
- The Illinois Arts Council announced support for 20 public art installations with reported $350,000 t and $300,000 in funding, plus a youth art contest and StoryCorps recordings preserved in the Library of Congress.
- So far, organizers report over 167 organizations and 68 counties involved, with the Illinois Office of Tourism citing nearly 113 million visitors and $48.5 million spent last year, and reporters questioned the state's spending.
- In the coming year, the commission will advance tribal recognition with Dorene Wiese and Illinois Humanities while launching statewide volunteering on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and preserving reflections via StoryCorps.
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AudacyIllinois unveils plans to celebrate 250 years of American independence
From Capitol News Illinois: The initiative will center programming on uplifting local stories across the state. It will include a youth art contest and an archival project to record residents’ reflections on the 250th anniversary in the Library of Congress
Illinois to celebrate United States’ 250th birthday with public art, history initiatives
Illinoisans next year will celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday with new public murals, a student art contest and initiatives to get residents and tourists alike to historic sites, the state announced Wednesday. As President Donald Trump toys with bringing a UFC wrestling match to the White House next year to commemorate the 250th — and coincide with his own 80th birthday — Illinois this week put forward a more restrained approach. Stil…
Gov. JB Pritzker announces plans for America's 250th anniversary
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Illinois is rolling out a range of initiatives aimed at showcasing the state’s contributions to the country’s early history.Gov. JB Pritzker announced plans for the celebration Wednesday at Navy Pier on Illinois’ 207th anniversary.“The story of Illinois has always been the story of America,” Pritzker said in a statement. “It will be an opportunity to reflect on the past 250 years, to educate…
‘Bipartisan’ Pritzker announces Illinois’ plans for USA’s 250th anniversary – Center Square
“From early Native American tribes to the Civil War to the civil rights movement to today, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama and Ida B. Wells, the story of Illinois has always been the story of America. We are, after all, the most American of American states,” Gov. JB Pritzker said.
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