The Chicago Traveler

The Illinois Bureau of Tourism asked the state’s residents and visitors to nominate their favorite destinations in Illinois. In May of 2007, seven of these were selected as the Seven Wonders of Illinois.

• Chicago: Wrigley Field. The atmosphere, neighborhood, and fans put this stadium in a league of its own. It’s not just a ballpark; it’s an experience.
• Chicagoland: The Baha’I House of Worship. This unforgettable sight is beautiful both inside and out. Its intricate construction took nearly 30 years to complete.
• Northern: Starved Rock State Park. Visitors can witness firsthand the results of Mother Nature’s power: 18 canyons framed …read more

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When people think about this country’s Native American populations, they often think of Alaska, New Mexico, or South Dakota. But a number of tribes settled in or traveled through what is now the state of Illinois, including the Chippewa, the Delaware (who were driven west by White settlers), the Foxes, the Kickapoo, the Miami (who once had a town near modern-day Chicago), the Potawatomi, and the state’s namesake, the Illinois (a hodgepodge of related tribes). Illinois is a word which means “men” or “people.” (The original word was Illiniwek, but was changed by the French to –ois.)
The Black Hawk State …read more

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Happy Flag Day folks! The city of Chicago actually has its own flag, made up of two horizontal blue stripes on a white background. Between the stripes are four six-pointed, red stars. The top blue stripe represents the North Branch of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, while the bottom stripe symbolizes the River’s South Branch and the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Each of the four stars represents a significant event in Chicago history: the first, the Fort Dearborn Massacre of 1812; the second, the Great Chicago Fire in 1871; the third, the World’s Fair in 1893; and the fourth, …read more

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