About the cover artist
I am currently a Graphic Design and Marketing student at the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign. Since starting school I have been experimenting with different styles and techniques. A lot of what I have been making is digital, including the work I submitted for Illinois Times.

Contents
What the locals do for fun..............................p56.

Abe’s hometown
Two centuries after his birth, Springfield’s best-known resident remains a revered icon, a leader who bore the weight of destiny to his untimely demise. Born in dire poverty and self-educated, Abraham Lincoln rose to lead our nation during its darkest time.

Looking for Lincoln Story Trail
To learn more about people and places with connections to Abraham Lincoln, keep your eyes open for the Looking for Lincoln storyboard signs. These attractive wayside exhibits tell stories that reveal interesting facts about Lincoln, individuals with whom he interacted, and the surroundings Lincoln would have experienced.

Besides Abe
In 1902, Susan Lawrence Dana, the socialite daughter of a Springfield industrialist, commissioned architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design a new residence around the existing family home. Trusting in Wright’s genius, Dana spared no expense, and Wright went all-out in what’s considered one of his first full expressions of the Prairie Style.

Cozy Dog Drive-In
An icon in Springfield is the Cozy Dog Drive-in, home of the original batter-covered hot dog on a stick. This landmark, located on historic Route 66, features a great collection of Route 66 memorabilia. Although corn dogs are popular at state fairs, you have to go to the Cozy Dog drive-in for the original.

Uniquely Springfield
Chilli (otherwise known as Chili).

Horseshoes
You haven’t truly experienced Springfield until you’ve eaten a horseshoe (or at least a ponyshoe). Springfield originated this concoction, consisting of thick-cut slices of bread topped with meat, then potatoes, and cheese sauce over the top. Chef Joe Schweska of the Leland Hotel created the horseshoe in the late 1920s.

Mel-O-Cream Donuts
You may get your kicks on Route 66, but for a sugar fix go to Mel-O-Cream. Mel-O-Cream has been making donuts in Springfield for 80 years. Cake donuts, cream-filled donuts, old-fashioneds, iced donuts, glazed donuts, apple fritters, long johns, cinnamon twists and donut holes are just some of the varieties.

The capital city
In addition to watching Illinois politicians from the balcony-level seating area, visitors can view the awe-inspiring artwork, statues and paintings inside the limestone Italian Renaissance Revival building. Murals, a variety of marbles and a unique architectural design add to the elegance and grace of Illinois’ center of government.

Historic Edwards Place
Stepping through the front door of Edwards Place is like stepping back in time. Recently restored to the grandeur of its 1850s appearance, this gracious Italianate mansion evokes an era when hoop skirts were heard rustling in the parlor and Abraham Lincoln’s laugh rang out from the dining room.

Visual and performing arts
Illinois College TheatreWorks presents work at the Sibert Theatre McGaw Fine Arts Center, 300 Lockwood Ave. in Jacksonville. For tickets and showtimes visit http:// www.ic.edu/RelId/621665/ISvars/default/.

Historic downtown Springfield
The map on the opposite page features some of the city’s historic sites and places of interest. Besides visiting individual venue websites, you can access some venue info (and a Bar and Restaurant Directory) via the Illinois Times calendar at www.illinoistimes.

Springfield FreeWifi
Downtown Springfield has always had plenty of the kinds of bars one drinks in, but the same couldn’t always be said for the kind which indicate your phone’s internet connectivity.

The outdoors
The Washington Park Botanical Garden, at the far west side of the park, features a glass-domed conservatory, gallery and greenhouses.

Mother Road
If you want to see America, there’s no better place than the road that once spanned more than 2,450 miles between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Heart of Illinois
From the outdoor terrace on the top level of the museum, there is a spectacular view of the Illinois River floodplain. Restoration of wetland habitat by The Nature Conservancy and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has transformed the land and waterscape to its ancient beginnings.

The nightlife
The nightlife of Springfield and surrounding communities is diverse and robust. Blues, folk, jazz, rock, country, hip-hop, dance music, open mics and karaoke are all well represented on any given night in central Illinois and the capital city. Solid local acts playing original and cover material mix with national touring bands on the road from St.

Local live music and entertainment
All phone numbers are area code 217.

Food and drinks
Finalists: The Burger Bar; Five Guy’s Burgers & Fries; Red Robin Gourmet Burgers; Arlington’s.

What the locals do for fun
Haven’t you seen enough sights? How about some fun? Take it from the locals – here are 17 ways to have a good time in the capital city that don’t involve learning anything at all. Just enjoy..

This year’s big events
Noteworthy happenings in and around the capital city Event listing updated daily at illinoistimes.com..

ONGOING DAILY EVENTS
Super Saturdays at the Illinois State Museum.

Living here
Springfield and Sangamon County aren’t just ideal places to visit; they’re also great places to live. The capital city of Illinois and the two dozen smaller villages and townships around it offer several intriguing reasons why you should call the Prairie State home.