Happy birthday Illinois — it is officially the year of the Illinois Bicentennial and the yearlong celebration is underway! Illinois REALTORS® are proud to celebrate the historic 200th birthday of Illinois in a big way.

Across the state, our 29 local REALTOR® associations have planned legacy projects to give back to their communities. From partnering with historical societies for repairs to planting gardens and funding murals, projects are happening all yearlong leading up to the bicentennial.  At Illinois REALTORS® headquarters in Springfield, construction is underway on Bicentennial Plaza – A REALTOR® Community Partnership.

To see all the wonderful projects happening across the state, make sure to check out the current issue of Illinois REALTOR® magazine. We included a full-sized pullout map highlighting all the projects across the state, showing how REALTORS® are working with heart in every community.

Join us in the celebration! You too can be a part of Illinois’ historic bicentennial year. Proudly display the map in your office. You can also play a part by donating a brick in someone’s name, your name or your company’s name to the pedestrian walkway of Bicentennial Plaza. And help us get the word out to your community by sharing information about the Bicentennial Essay Contest — 23 high school students will be awarded scholarships!

Follow the bicentennial activities of Illinois REALTORS® at www.facebook.com/IllinoisREALTORS and the state’s activities at Illinois200.com. Use the hashtags #REALTORSworkingwithHeart #IllinoisProud.