Overview
- Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the 2026 commemoration at Navy Pier, outlining events, education and partnerships across Illinois.
- Planning now includes 68 counties and more than 167 organizations under the Illinois America 250 Commission’s umbrella.
- The Illinois Arts Council pledged funding for public art tied to the anniversary, with reports citing $300,000 or $350,000 to support 20 installations.
- A Chicago Park District partnership will add a new piece at Steelworkers Park, alongside programming at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, the Southern Illinois Music Festival and Cairo’s Magnolia Celebration.
- Additional initiatives feature a youth art contest at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and a StoryCorps project to record resident reflections for the Library of Congress.