How Illinois plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S.

From a corn boil in Galena to a special Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance to a documentary produced in Elgin, communities across Illinois are lining up to mark the USA’s 250th anniversary.

So, what’s your town going to do in 2026?

Gov. JB Pritzker invited the entire state to help answer that question Wednesday as Illinois America 250 Commission officials unveiled details of the yearlong celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Beliefs like equality for all and liberty are familiar refrains, “but it was rarely said out loud anywhere in the world before these rebels put it into their declaration,” Pritzker said. “In each ensuing generation there have been leaders that picked up the baton to undertake the work of building a more perfect union.

“Illinois has been central to this democratic project,” he added. “From early native America tribes to the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement to today. Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama and Ida B. Wells — the story of Illinois has always been the story of America.”

The Illinois America 250 Commission, established by state law, is helping to coordinate programming and events for the anniversary.

So far, 93 communities are participating, while multiple museums and cultural institutions are hosting exhibits and performances.

Those include the Addison Historical Museum and the Elgin History Museum in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Project.

The Elgin project involves a feature-length documentary and a traveling exhibit looking at the impact of Hispanic immigration. It will debut in spring 2026.

“This effort aligns deeply with the goals of Illinois 250 as our state reflects on 250 years of immigrant history,” said Rafael Villagomez, a HHP committee member.

“We’re ensuring that the stories of Elgin’s immigrant communities are represented, elevated and celebrated.”

Statewide initiatives include: a Youth Art Contest, a 250th commemorative passport similar to the National Parks passport but with state sites; pocket-sized copies of the Declaration of Independence; and Illinois Voices 250, where llinoisans can record thoughts on the anniversary with Story Corps Studios for the Library of Congress.

Communities are invited to recognize the semi-quincentennial with fireworks and parades, volunteer projects, talks and seminars, potlucks, public readings of the Declaration, tree or garden plantings, time capsules and other recognitions.

Suburbs that have signed on to Illinois America 250 include: Barrington, Bensenville, Glen Ellyn, Grayslake, Hawthorn Woods, Round Lake Beach, South Barrington, Sugar Grove, Warrenville, West Chicago, Winfield and Wood Dale, according to the commission’s website.

For more information about Illinois America 250, visit il250.org.