Slavery in Illinois

In a recent article about the shaping of the state of Illinois, Mick Zawislak tells us that at the time of statehood, Chicago was a nothing place, and southern Illinois was where the action was. In addition he tells us that Nathaniel "Pope's move ... [ensured] Illinois would be a free state at a time of percolating political unrest over slavery."

But when it was first admitted to the Union, Illinois permitted slavery, sort of. Article VI of Illinois' 1818 Constitution provided for seven years of limited slavery in the mines near Shawneetown in southern Illinois.

Yes, for a while, there was slavery in the Land of Lincoln.

Lou Eisenberg

Buffalo Grove