Illinois America 250 Commission Kicks Off Celebrations for America’s 250th Birthday

CHICAGO (WLS) — Although the grand celebration has concluded, the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary of independence continues with enthusiasm and pride.

In this spirit, we spotlight the remarkable individuals of Illinois, acknowledging their remarkable achievements, captivating stories, and significant contributions that have shaped the nation.

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At the forefront of this initiative is the Illinois America 250 Commission, championing this cause.

“Our mission is to ensure that every resident of Illinois feels a part of our nation’s narrative and that they have the opportunity to engage with it,” explains Gabrielle Lyon, who is the Chair of the Commission and also the Executive Director of Illinois Humanities. “Additionally, we want to guarantee that our efforts are inclusive and reach every corner of the state.”

Lyon highlights that one of the most rewarding aspects of her role with the commission is “the daily discovery of how intricately Illinois’ history is woven into the broader tapestry of our country’s past.”

“That’s everything from before we were a state. We weren’t a state until 1818. All the way up until now, I mean, the organizers, the labor movements, the artists, the musicians. You can’t really tell the story of America without the influence of Illinoisans,” Lyon said.

One of the commission’s major initiatives was to create a passport.

“This passport has a collection of 60 people, places, sites, scenic highways, all of which have ties to making good on the ideals of the Declaration of Independence,” Lyon said.

Lyon says there are a couple of ways that families can tackle the passport as they hit the road to visit some of the landmarks this summer.

“You can be like kids get in the car and just pick something you like. Or you can find an interest that one of your kids has. If they’re young, go to the John Deere Historic Museum. That innovation changed the entire nature of agriculture,” Lyons said. “The truth is, the sweep of American history complex, fraught, amazing; it’s all right here in Illinois.”

And the initiative that Lyon says she’s probably most excited about is Illinois Voices 250 led by Illinois Humanities, “which is an invitation to record a story about this moment with someone you care about.”

“And those conversations are being preserved at the Library of Congress,” she added. “The idea that we’re just celebrating something that happened 250 years ago, to me, misses the point of this moment. The Declaration of Independence is a promise. But it’s a promise you have to actively make good on. And part of that is thinking about, what kind of place do you want to live in, what do you want for your children, what does equality, pursuit of happiness mean to you? And making a conversation that’s going to make a memory is kind of the best way to both imagine it and crystalize that.”