Illinois Heritage, September–October 2022

Volume 25, Number 4

Danaus plexippus, the orange and black insect we know as the Monarch Butterfly, is now on the Illinois endangered species list, a warning sign to all of us who wonder how the global climate crisis will unfold in our own backyard. What should be done? For starters, plant milkweed and don’t spray chemicals on your plants. Protect your heritage!

In this issue of Illinois Heritage we take a canoe trip with “Ernie” Hemingway and his chums down the Des Plaines and Illinois rivers, meet a celebrated children’s author and artist from Macomb, investigate Chicago’s “Babbling Burglar” and his gang of bent cops, plant trees in Kewanee with some enterprising high school students, and explore the evolution of the Illinois prairie into an agricultural incubator for farming innovations around the world.

Thanks to all of you who have helped the Society get through the pandemic in the last two years. Your gifts and donations have made the difference; we have continued to publish our flagship Journal and Illinois Heritage without missing an issue, kept the lights on and our resilient staff employed, and celebrated the achievements of Illinois scholars, preservationists, museum professionals and community activists who make local history accessible and meaningful for all of us. We also dedicated 15 new historical markers and renovated 8 others!

On behalf of the Illinois State Historical Society’s officers, directors, advisers, contributors, and members, I wish you a safe, healthy, and engaging autumn in the Prairie State.

William Furry
Executive Director