{"id":30654,"date":"2026-02-13T14:48:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T20:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thexradio.com\/news\/?p=30654"},"modified":"2026-02-13T14:48:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T20:48:11","slug":"residents-and-visitors-invited-to-explore-americas-roots-with-illinois-america-250s-keepsake-passport-to-illinois","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thexradio.com\/news\/local-news\/30654-residents-and-visitors-invited-to-explore-americas-roots-with-illinois-america-250s-keepsake-passport-to-illinois\/","title":{"rendered":"Residents and Visitors Invited to Explore America’s Roots With Illinois America 250’s Keepsake Passport to Illinois"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As Illinois communities prepare to celebrate the nation\u2019s semiquincentennial on July 4, the Illinois America 250 Commission today unveiled the first ever Passport to Illinois, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the powerful places, people and events in Illinois that have shaped the nation\u2019s history.<\/div>\n
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The limited-edition keepsake\u00a0Passport to Illinois<\/a>\u00a0uplifts undertold stories of people and places that have contributed to making good on the ideals of the Declaration of Independence.<\/div>\n
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Among the 56 historic sites, museums and monuments featured in the passport are the\u00a0Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument<\/a>\u00a0in southern Illinois; the\u00a0Western Illinois Museum<\/a>\u00a0in Macomb; the Project XV Voting Rights Museum in El Paso; the\u00a0Ulysses S. Grant Home<\/a>\u00a0in Galena; the Jacksonville African American History Museum and Woodlawn Farm<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0McLean County Museum of History<\/a>\u00a0in central Illinois; the\u00a0Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Radium Girls Monument<\/a>\u00a0in northern Illinois; and the\u00a0National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Jane Addams Hull-House Museum<\/a>\u00a0in Chicago.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe first-ever Passport to Illinois transforms travel into a journey through the very ideals that built our nation. It is an invitation for visitors to Illinois and residents alike to explore history, heritage and the communities that define Illinois today,\u201d\u00a0said Gabrielle Lyon, chair of the Illinois America 250 Commission<\/strong>\u00a0and executive director of Illinois Humanities. \u201cWe’re launching the passport just in time for families planning their spring break and summer vacations. It\u2019s a perfect, hands-on way to connect with our country\u2019s 250th milestone anniversary.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Passports are free and will be available at public libraries, highway visitor centers, staffed passport sites and other locations throughout Illinois while supplies last. Pickup locations will be highlighted on the\u00a0Illinois America 250 website<\/a>. In addition, a digital version of the passport will be available to download from the site and print at home.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIllinois America 250 is a wonderful opportunity to invite residents and travelers to experience all that our great state has to offer,\u201d\u00a0said Catie Sheehan, deputy director of the DCEO Illinois Office of Tourism<\/strong>. \u201cThe Passport to Illinois encourages everyone to explore communities across the state while celebrating the people, places and stories that have shaped our nation. More than a guide, this passport becomes a travel journal and keepsake, capturing memories, reflections, and connections, while supporting local destinations and tourism economies statewide.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The\u00a0Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum<\/a>\u00a0in Springfield is among the stops featured on the passport.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe point of commemorating America\u2019s 250th birthday is not simply to celebrate where we are today. It\u2019s also to consider where we want to go tomorrow. That\u2019s exactly what Abraham Lincoln did when he urged Americans to dedicate themselves to a freedom movement that had begun \u2018four score and seven years ago\u2019,\u201d\u00a0said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum<\/strong>\u00a0and a member of the Illinois America 250 Commission. \u201cI hope everyone who uses this passport to explore history will also think about ways they can make America a better place for all.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) manages some of the state\u2019s most meaningful historic sites, many of which are featured on the passport, including\u00a0Lincoln\u2019s New Salem<\/a>\u00a0in Menard County, the\u00a0Old State Capitol<\/a>\u00a0in Springfield,\u00a0Black Hawk State Historic Site<\/a>\u00a0in Rock Island,\u00a0Cahokia Mounds<\/a>\u00a0near Collinsville, and the\u00a0Vandalia Statehouse<\/a>\u00a0in Fayette County.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThe Passport to Illinois offers a trove of ideas for families and individuals who wish to explore our state and national history during this special anniversary year and beyond,\u201d\u00a0said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie<\/strong>. \u201cOur staff is excited to welcome new and returning visitors at the state historic sites and parks featured in the passport.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The passport cover features a cardinal, a monarch and other state symbols. The artwork is by\u00a0artist William Estrada<\/strong>, who grew up in California, Mexico and Chicago.<\/div>\n
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\u201cAs we near America\u2019s 250th birthday, it\u2019s important to remember Illinois\u2019 role in the country\u2019s foundation,\u201d\u00a0said State Senator Doris Turner of Springfield<\/strong>, who is also an Illinois America 250 Commission member. \u201cThe passports will share stories and highlight the many people, places and things that make Illinois what it is today.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The passport was developed by the Illinois America 250 Commission in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Office of Tourism, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois Humanities, the Illinois Association of Museums, the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Human Services.<\/div>\n
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Passport to Illinois is one of a series of signature initiatives organized by Illinois America 250 Commission to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The commission was established to lead an inclusive, statewide celebration that uplifts local stories, highlights significant places and programs, and showcases how Illinoisans bring the ideals of the Declaration of Independence to life.<\/div>\n
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Other signature programs include:<\/div>\n