Inviting Citizens To Celebrate Illinois In The Prairie State

By JIM EDGAR and JOHN SHAW

As we all know, the United States is in the midst of a bitterly contentious political campaign in which the presidency and control of Congress are in question. Analysts say that the United States faces graver threats to its national security than it has in decades, perhaps ever. War is raging in Europe and the Middle East; tensions are rising in Asia; tempers are flaring across America.

In the face of all this acrimony and conflict, it is tempting to turn off the TV, stop reading the newspaper, and tune out the political world.

However, we offer another suggestion: L...