Acknowledgments

This Illinois 200 special edition wouldn’t have been possible without a talented group of Illinoisans from both inside and outside the Chicago Sun- Times newsroom. The Chicago History Museum’s research center, as well as its communications manager, Emily Osborne, helped us access historical photos, newspaper front pages and other materials, as did John Powell of the Newberry Library, David Joens of the Illinois State Archives, Brian Tober of the Illinois State Library and Tina Beaird of the Plainfield Public Library and Plainfield Historical Society.

Larry Spivack, regional director of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, provided research assistance for the “Labor Gains” section. Within our newsroom, Sun- Times front- page designer James Smith produced front- cover and page designs that show why he’s among the best in the business, as is Eric White, who assembled the “200 for 200” spread. Staff reporter Stefano Esposito and marketing department creative director

Godfrey Carmona tackled lead research, writing and fact- checking roles. Assisting them were newsroom administrator Toby Roberts, sports and presentation editor Chris De Luca, marketing department graphics designer Akiko Slaughter and the circulation department’s

Bill Chinetti and Robert Shea, who sorted through dozens of front pages and photos from our archives. Special thanks to advertising chief Alison Laffe, who came up with the idea of this special bicentennial edition. Stay tuned for more stories about our state in the ramp- up to Illinois’ 200th birthday on Dec. 3, 2018.