SPRINGFIELD - With President Obama's appearance Thursday in Springfield culminating a week's worth of events honoring the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, the Daily Herald asked suburban and state officials what Lincoln means to Illinois and his relevancy today.

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, a Highland Park Republican:

"Lincoln failed in business and lost his Senate race only to step forward to save the union and end slavery. His life teaches us to never give up fighting for what is right."

State Rep. Michael Tryon, a Crystal Lake Republican:

"President Lincoln is revered for protecting the most sacred freedoms of each American. His commanding ability to unite our nation - bringing enemies together for a common cause - truly shaped the strength of our nation. With the prevalence of political fighting in Springfield, Lincoln's leadership to bring people together is truly inspiring. I am committed to being someone who is not divisive, but rather considers both sides of an issue and does what is in the best interest of the people I serve. Lincoln is known for his ethics and character, which are badly needed in Illinois where corruption has become commonplace. I will continue to fight for ethics reforms and work to protect the good government our forefathers worked so hard to create."

State Rep. Dan Kotowski, a Park Ridge Democrat:

"Given what we've just come through in our state, I think the (lesson) that Lincoln demonstrated of reaching out to people, even to his opponents, to make sure that he achieved results is a very, very important one. I think that people in our districts across the state have had enough with politics - partisan politics, petty politics. They want us all to rise above it and just achieve results.

I think Lincoln's message has resonance today, just the fact that this is a dawn of a new day. People are reaching out. The dialogue is open."

State Rep. Dennis Reboletti, an Elmhurst Republican:

"Abraham Lincoln is a perfect example of the American dream and a role model. He came from poverty and his family was not perfect. He was a self-taught lawyer who worked hard and believed that public service is an honorable profession. He was one of the first true agents of change. He had the courage to do what he felt was right regardless of whether or not it was popular."

State Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat:

"I think the biggest relevancy of Lincoln's message today compared to back then was unifying a country. Although it was probably a lot more of an extreme back then because it was at war. It was a civil war. But you still have a divided country in many, many ways. Still there's race problems, but there's also the haves and have nots, - you have your political, obviously, divides.

But you have to get the country to be thinking as one if we're going to get back to getting this country in a direction to becoming the world power that it once was. And I think that's where President Obama is probably trying to enact President Lincoln's message the strongest - bringing this back to one country again.

We can no longer be a divided country. The civil war of the 1860s has to stop in the 2009-era and that we have to realize that this is the United States of America."

State Rep. Franco Coladipietro, a Bloomingdale Republican:

"Abraham Lincoln was one of our greatest presidents and remains one of Illinois' greatest assets. His presence can be felt throughout our state, from the Lincoln-Douglas debate sites to the capitol he helped create in Springfield. Lincoln's message is especially relevant in these times. 'Honest Abe' set the standard that all statesmen should follow. He was a man of high moral character - an honest, ethical leader. After impeaching a corrupt governor, it is clear that Illinois needs more leaders like Lincoln. I am hopeful that we will pass meaningful ethics reforms to restore the people's trust in their government."

State Rep. Suzie Bassi, a Palatine Republican:

"Lincoln was a Postmaster General, an attorney, and was elected to the Illinois and U.S. House of Representatives. He accomplished all of this by teaching himself to read. As one of the greatest presidents to ever hold the highest office, it is a fitting time for us to think back to the citizen legislator - someone who always put his duty first.

"Lincoln is relevant today simply because he showed the world that one person should never be underestimated. He was universally expected to fail, and yet the greatest president of our great country."

State Rep. Sandy Cole, a Grayslake Republican:

"President Lincoln persevered through tragedy and defeat; he worked hard like everyday Illinoisans and refused to fail. He was a man whose life had prepared him to be the right man in the right moment in history for our great nation.

"Dignity, humility, kindness and judicious are all traits Lincoln held and they are all traits I believe we should strive for in everyday life and in public office."

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, a Wheaton Republican:

"Lincoln means everything to Illinois. There is no president that has encountered more difficult times and more turmoil and come through with more grace than Abraham Lincoln."

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Springfield Democrat:

"Though he was born 200 years ago, the principles by which Abraham Lincoln lived and for which he died are true and timeless. Today, we are living in uncertain and uneasy times. The economic challenges facing our nation are grave and growing. They will take years to solve.

"As president, Lincoln faced down a banking crisis and channeled the awesome power of the American people to lay the foundation for our modern economy all while finding the strength to save the Union, drive a stake into the heart of slavery, and redeem the promise of the Declaration of Independence. Surely we can find our way through these present troubles.

"Lincoln's wisdom and example continues to offer us hope and guidance, if we will only pay attention. That is why the yearlong Lincoln Bicentennial celebration is so welcome, and so important."