1. In 1960, the first McDonald's restaurant in Illinois was opened in Des Plaines. The fast food chain, now with thousands of locations worldwide, has its roots firmly planted in the state's history.

2. On December 14, 1914, the World's Tallest Thermometer was established in the town of Streator, Illinois. Standing at 198 feet, the structure was built to commemorate the town's centennial and still stands as a popular tourist attraction today.

3. In 2018, the Illinois Senate sent a measure to legalize recreational marijuana to the House for consideration. The move marked a major shift in the state's attitude towards marijuana and paved the way for it to become the 11th state to legalize the drug.

4. The first recorded tornado in Illinois history touched down near the town of Belleville on December 14, 1836. The twister caused substantial damage to nearby buildings and served as a reminder of the state's vulnerability to severe weather.

5. On December 14, 1945, Illinois Governor Dwight Green signed a bill establishing Illinois State University in the town of Normal. Today, the institution is one of the top-ranked public universities in the Midwest and continues to be a source of pride for the state's residents.