With music, dignitaries and an Illinois Army National Guard flyover, the Bicentennial Plaza, a REALTOR® Community Partnership, was officially dedicated in downtown Springfield Sunday. The dedication, a Signature Legacy Event of the Illinois Bicentennial, was the capital city’s celebration of Constitution Day in Illinois.

“The plaza is the realization of years of planning by public and private interests, and is a new focal point linking downtown Springfield’s historic sites,” Illinois REALTORS® President Matt Difanis told the program’s crowd.

“The plaza is lined with panels highlighting the people, places and events that tie to the struggle to achieve Abraham Lincoln’s vision for a nation of equality,” he said. “This plaza shows how equal treatment for all — whether in the form of fair housing policy or voting rights — is interwoven into the state’s rich history.”

The Bicentennial Plaza is a pedestrian walkway linking the Abraham Lincoln Home Historic Site to the Illinois Governor’s Mansion and the state Capitol along the Jackson Street corridor. The plaza, on land owned by Illinois REALTORS®, features 16 interpretive panels presenting the people, places and events that tie to the struggle to achieve Abraham Lincoln’s vision for America as a country with opportunity and equality for all.

Sunday’s dedication ceremony included a performance by the University of Illinois’ Marching Illini Band, a flyover by the Illinois Army National Guard, a performance by the Ravinia Jazz Scholars Alumni Band, Damian Kaplan singing the state song “Illinois” and a 300-pound Eli’s Cheesecake birthday cake celebrating the state’s bicentennial. Program speakers included: Difanis, Gov. Bruce Rauner, first lady Diana Rauner, Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder and Illinois Bicentennial Commissioner and President of Ameren Richard Mark.

Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said the idea of transforming Jackson Street into a corridor to connect some of the city’s historic sites had been a concept since the late 1990s, but it took the leadership of three people in particular to make the promise a reality: Gov. Rauner, first lady Diana Rauner and Illinois REALTORS® CEO Gary Clayton.

“Gary saw the vision and power of connectivity,” Langfelder said of the plaza project that transformed a parking lot into an educational walkway.

The Bicentennial Plaza is across the street from the Illinois Governor’s Mansion, which recently reopened after undergoing an extensive two-year renovation. Illinois First Lady Diana Rauner said the Jackson Street improvements, which include the mansion renovation, are the realization of long-held dreams for historic downtown. More than 6,500 visitors have toured the mansion since it reopened six weeks ago, she said.

Gov. Rauner also praised the plaza and encouraged people to visit the mansion, which has become and living museum celebrating everything that Illinois has to offer.

Richard Mark, president of Ameren and an Illinois Bicentennial Commissioner said Sunday’s plaza dedication was one of many bicentennial events happening around the state that day to commemorate Constitution Day in Illinois. Illinois will celebrate its official 200th birthday with the Illinois Bicentennial Birthday Party on Dec. 3 at the United Center in Chicago.