Newsroom

The ISHS Annual Meeting and Annual Awards luncheon will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

The Annual Awards Luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the Annual Meeting and Awards presentation immediately to follow. The luncheon will be in the Foundation Room, lower level of the Capitol. After the luncheon we will adjourn to the House of Representatives upstairs for the presentation of awards.

This year marks the bicentennial of the state of Illinois.  Illinois became the 21st state on December 3, 1818 when President James Monroe signed the legislation admitting us to the Union. In honor of this occasion, Governor Bruce Rauner in 2016 issued Executive Order 2016-11, which created the state’s Bicentennial Commission. The commission consists of a diverse group of Illinois residents who have a passion and love for this state. David Scott serves as the ISHS representative on the commission. The purpose of the commission is to develop and implement a statewide program to celebrate the bicentennial. The slogan of the commission is Born, Built, and Grown in Illinois. Using almost entirely private money (with the exception of staff support) and working with partners and generous donors, the commission is moving forward with statewide bicentennial celebration plans.

The St. Clair County Genealogical Society's newest book on cemeteries in Prairie Du Long and Smithton Townships is now available. More than 3,100 burials in 31 cemeteries are included, from as early as 1815 through 2016. The book is $15.00 including shipping. The order form is on the Society's website at www.stclair-ilgs.org.

Job Opening-Director of Development
Illinois State Historical Society
Full-time position

Position Description

The Illinois State Historical Society (ISHS) seeks a new, full-time Director of Development. Reporting to the Executive Director of the ISHS and working closely with members of the Board of Directors and its Development Committee, this person will be engaged with:

• Board Development
• Individual Giving – donor development
• Corporate Giving -- donor development
• Foundation Giving – grants searches and writing
• Special events for fund-raising

This will involve fund-raising research and advice for the staff and Board; database development on members and potential donors/sponsors; fostering of donor and sponsor relations; and grants development.

This twelve-month reading list includes novels, nonfictional works, and poetry – all by Illinois authors and expressive of the Illinois experience. Along with the twelve-month schedule are some alternative book titles, in case a library wants to customize the 2018 reading list by substituting another notable work of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.