Voting now open for Illinois’ Top 200

Voting for the Top 200 people, places and things in Illinois is underway. (Photo courtesy IllinoisTop200.com)

By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ bicentennial organizers are looking to come up with a list of the very best of Illinois, just in time for the state’s 200th birthday.

The folks in charge of the state’s bicentennial are looking to rank the state’s best people, places, and things. And perhaps start a few friendly arguments along the way.

Chris Wills with the state’s Department of Historic Preservation said the idea is to let the people of Illinois rank the best the state has to offer.

“We will have 20 different categories throughout the year. Everything from books and movies, to authors and inventors, to favorite museums and scenic spots,” Wills said. “And the public will choose the Top 10 in each of those categories.”

Wills says the debate over Illinois’ best athletes could be the toughest.

“How you do compare an early football player like Red Grange to a modern basketball player like Michael Jordan to an Olympic athlete like Bonnie Blair?” Wills said. “Everybody has their own interest in sports and the sports are so different. It’s going to be tough.”

There won’t be a best food vote, Wills said.

You can vote on Illinois’ best movies right now, at IllinoisTop200.com.

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