< Previous68 I N T E R S E C T IL L I N OI Sworking full-time. e rst year, students learn basic skills such as shop math, blueprint reading, and the basics of machine tool technology. In their second year, students begin concentrating on their chosen specialties in mold making, CNC programming, or tool & die — disciplines which split the graduates fairly evenly in terms of course completion.“ is program and you, the graduates, really personify the great strides we are making in manufacturing in Illinois,” said Illinois Deputy Governor Leslie Munger. “With the education, training and hard work of all the graduates here, Illinois will have a competitive advantage over our neighboring states in the most critical, number one need for companies today — a skilled workforce.”Montez King, executive director of the National Institute of Metalworking Skills, told the graduates that although only percent of high school seniors are interested in the types of jobs the TMA apprentices will ll, more than percent of all jobs in the work force require more than a high school degree, but less than a bachelor’s degree. “Plus, jobs that require more than a high school diploma but less than a bachelor’s degree earn more money than people with bachelor-degree careers,” he said.Another resource with national ties is the Illinois SchaumburgRockfordPeoriaDeKalbChicagoCarbondaleIllinois Manufacturing Excellence Center LocationsI N T E R S E C T I L L I N O I S 69Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), the statewide affiliate of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, a Congressional program under the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). With more than 50 staff and offices (see map) at institutional campuses across Illinois (including TMA), IMEC assists more than 500 companies a year in areas ranging from leadership and strategy to operations and process improvement. Among its leaders is Craig Sutton, manager for advanced manufacturing innovation at the John Deere Technology Innovation Center in Moline, who was elected to the IMEC Board of Directors in July 2018.“The involvement of manufacturing leaders such as Craig gives us the unique perspective of the individuals that work in the manufacturing environment every day,” said Dr. David Boulay, president of IMEC. “They help us to drive forward our purpose to foster long-term economic and workforce competitiveness by providing the feedback and experiences related to performance and practices required to be successful in today’s highly competitive industrial climate.”Sutton also serves on the Quad City Manufacturing Lab board, the Western Illinois University College of Engineering advisory board, and leads Deere’s engagement with the Digital Manufacturing Design Innovation Institute (DMDII), another IMEC outpost, located in Chicago. DMDII defines the Fourth Industrial Revolution as digital manufacturing and design (DM&D): “DM&D is the ability to connect different parts of the manufacturing product life-cycle through data,” the institution says, “and utilize that information through a methodology to make smarter, more efficient business decisions.”But data-enabled operations bring their own risks, which is why DMDII in March took the next step, announcing the launch of the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing. In July, the organization announced that information security expert Koushik Subramanian, 33, would lead the center.“As manufacturing begins to retrofit or build assembly lines with such software and sensors, the attack surface only expands,” DMDII said. “Thirty-five percent of all cyber-espionage attacks in the U.S. are addressed at the manufacturing sector, the largest amount of any single sector, according to the 2017 Verizon data breach investigation report.”In addition to Subramanian’s role as director of manufacturing cybersecurity for DMDII, Subramanian also will serve as chief information security officer for UI LABS, DMDII’s parent organization, which is driving the digital future of manufacturing and cities.“His experience in the industrial IoT space will be invaluable as we continue to address the unique security needs of the connected factory for defense manufacturers and other corporate partners,” said Caralynn Collens, CEO of UI LABS. $54.86 billion in manufactured goods was exported from Illinois in 2016, $31.42 billion (57 percent) with U.S. free trade agreement partners.70 I N T E R S E C T IL L I N O I St’s impossible to talk about American sports legends without discussing the impact of great Illinois sports teams and athletes.When ESPN the Magazine wrote about the greatest sports moment in each of the states, the scribes agreed that one delivered by “His Airness” topped them all. ESPN selected Michael Jordan hitting his last shot for the Chicago Bulls to win the NBA Championship and his sixth title in eight years. Runner-up? Another legend: William “Refrigerator” Perry busting through the line to score a touchdown in the Chicago Bears’ - thumping of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX in .While Jordan’s Bulls dynasty and the Bears were two of the greatest teams of all time, it would be a mistake to think that Illinois sports greatness is confined to the Windy City alone. In celebration of the Illinois Bicentennial this year, the Associated Press and the Illinois Press Association collaborated to come up with a list of the greatest Illinois athletes of all time. The list reads like a Who’s Who of sporting legends. If you want to know the heartbeat of Illinois sports, look no farther than this list:IS P OR T SMeet the legends who inspired generations of Illinois sports fans.by R O N S TA R N E RAbove: Chicago Cubs at Wrigley FieldPhotos courtesy of Illinois Office of TourismI N T E R S E C T I L L I N O I S 71. Red Grange of Wheaton, Illinois: Arguably the greatest football player who has ever lived, Grange tore a path through the National Football League that has not been replicated since. He was basically Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey and Jesse Owens all rolled into one remarkable athlete on the gridiron. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Grange was not only the most dominant NFL player ever to suit up; he was its biggest star in the sport’s most important era.. Dick Butkus of Chicago: The heart and soul of the Bears, Butkus personified grit, hustle, determination and will as the greatest defensive player ever to step on a football field. All you need to know is the NFL awards the Butkus Award every year to the best linebacker; and Butkus was the best of them all.. George Mikan of Joliet:The first true superstar of professional basketball, Mikan brought incredible skill along with his -foot- frame. He played for the Minneapolis Lakers, and he single-handedly turned the Lakers brand name into what it is today — the best in all of sports.. Isiah Thomas of Chicago:The best pure point guard in NBA history, Thomas brought his own brand of skill and toughness to the hardcourt and led first Indiana to an NCAA national championship and then the Detroit Pistons to back-to-back NBA titles.. Jackie Joyner-Kersee of East St. Louis: The undisputed greatest female Olympian in history, she won six medals over four Olympic Games. In , Sports Illustrated named her the greatest female athlete of all time.. Otto Graham of Waukegan:After starring at Northwestern, Graham went on to become one of the greatest quarterbacks and on-field leaders of all time in the NFL, winning seven championships and ushering in the era of the forward pass.. Ray Nitschke of Maywood:He led the Green Bay Packers to a record five NFL championships and personified toughness, grit and leadership. To this day, he is the standard by which all great players are measured.. Jimmy Connors of Belleville:Arguably the most important American tennis player of all time, Connors won eight Grand Slam titles and a record singles titles. He almost single-handedly made tennis relevant in America in the s and was responsible for millions of kids picking up a racket and learning the sport.. Lou Boudreau of Harvey:A Hall of Fame baseball player, Boudreau fashioned one of the greatest sports years ever in as player/manager for the Cleveland Indians, when he won the American League MVP award and led the Indians to the World Series title.. Bonnie Blair of Champaign:The greatest female winter Olympian of all time, Blair won five gold medals over three Winter Olympics as a champion speedskater. Jimmy Connors of Belleville:Arguably the most important Grand Slam titles and a record single-handedly made tennis s and was responsible for racket and learning the sport.College sports are a big draw for Illinois fans as well — especially when rivals like the University of Illinois and Illinois State take to the court.72 I N T E R S E C T IL L I N O I SQ U A L I T Y O F L I F Eby S AVA N N A H K I N Gllinois is one of those rare places that truly has something for everyone. In the years since it became a state, Illinois has cultivated an amazing quality of life and plenty of fun activities to ll the days. Whether you’re looking for a culinary experience in Chicago or an outdoor escape in Shawnee National Forest, choosing your own adventure in Illinois is easy. ICHOOSEYO U R O W NADVENTUREin Illinoisin Illinoisin IllinoisADVENTUREin IllinoisADVENTUREin IllinoisADVENTUREin IllinoisADVENTUREFireflies at dusk in Galena, IL Image courtesy Enjoy IllinoisI N T E R S E C T I L L I N O I S 73For History Buffs Illinois is celebrating its Illinois is celebrating its IBicentennial this year and IBicentennial this year and Iwhat better way to learn Iwhat better way to learn Imore about the nation’s st state than to take a trip back in time. e Land of Lincoln is rich in historical signi cance, particularly presidential history. From historical sites like Abe Lincoln’s boyhood home to the Obama’s family house in Chicago, four presidents including Lincoln, Grant, Reagan and Obama have called the Prairie State home. e state’s historical signi cance goes far beyond modern day politics. e Cahokia Mounds are some mounds build by the late Woodland Indians in A.D. e sprawling, -square-mile site reached its peak between and A.D. and had an estimated population of , people before the civilization declined and abandoned the site. Today, the mounds are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. e site was highlighted in the book , Places to See Before You Die in .Sue the T-Rex in the Field Museum Image courtesy Chicago Convention and Tourism BureauFor OutdoorsmenFrom hiking to beautiful From hiking to beautiful Frural vistas or taking in Frural vistas or taking in Fthe urban skyline while kayaking along the Chicago River, running out of things to do out of doors is virtually impossible in Illinois. e Prairie State is blessed with dozens of state parks and an expansive national forest. Between ziplining on the Shawnee Blu s Canopy Tour and hiking along the hundreds of miles of trails at the Shawnee National Forest near Makanda, this park located in southern Illinois is known for its picturesque beauty. Starved Rock State Park in Utica is another unique natural space in Illinois. It was voted the No. attraction in the state by Illinois O ce of Tourism and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. e park’s stunning waterfalls and miles of trails along the Illinois River make it an ideal place to cast a line, kayak, hike, camp or just relax.Buffalo graze at sunsetImage courtesy Enjoy IllinoisHISTORIC SITES CHECKLIST:Various sites along Historic Route The Mormon settlement of NauvooErnest Hemingway’s Birthplace in Oak ParkCamp Dubois in Wood River where Lewis and Clark camped for fi ve winter monthsVarious Civil War sitesOUTDOOR ADVENTURE CHECKLIST: See the natural fauna that calls Illinois home at the Wildlife Prairie Park in Hanna City. Visit the shores of Lake Michigan at Illinois Beach State Park. Take the -mile River-to-River Trail that spans the southern portion of the state between the Ohio River and the Mississippi River. Sip your way along the family-owned wineries on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.For HomebodiesNNot one for leaving the house? Not one for leaving the house? NNo worries. Illinois o ers a NNo worries. Illinois o ers a Ncost of living below the national average, great schools, family-friendly communities as well as ample opportunities for individuals and business. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranked Illinois high schools among its Natiaonlly Ranked Public High Schools list and more than percent of high school studens enroll in college courses. And should you ever need to visit a hospital, the state's many health care facilities o er quality care. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, for instance, was ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News and World Reports and four of the top teaching hospitals in the nation are located in Chicago. nation are located in Chicago. GOOD LIFE CHECKLIST: Get to know your neighbors and enjoy the diversity of this globally connected state. Give your wallet a break with an average home value of $, and median gross rent of $. Enjoy more free time with an average commute of minutes.See students succeed with a high school graduation rate higher than the national average.SPORTS CHECKLIST:Fan the fl ames at the Chicago Fire Soccer Club in Bridgeview.Cheer on national dynasties with more professional sports championships than any other state since .Hit the slopes at the Villa Olivia Country Club Ski Area in Bartlett.For Sports FanaticsTThe home team certainly has The home team certainly has Tan advantage in Illinois. Since Tan advantage in Illinois. Since TIllinoisians love their sports teams. No visit to Chicago is complete without a trip to Wrigley Field without a trip to Wrigley Field to see the Chicago Cubs — one of the most celebrated teams in baseball. And don’t forget about the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, or the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. And of course, fans of collegiate sports have plenty to cheer for as well at the Redbird Arena in Normal, where Illinois Arena in Normal, where Illinois State University plays, and the Memorial Stadium at the University Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois in Champagne. Beyond the big games, there’s a myriad of sporting activities across the state including world-class golf courses, race tracks and so much more.race tracks and so much more.Chicago Pride Fest Photo by Jason LindseyGuaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox Image courtesy Enjoy IllinoisWrigley FieldImage courtesy Enjoy IllinoisDowntown Galena, ILImage courtesy Enjoy Illinois74 I N T E R S E C T IL L I N O I SURBAN CHECKLIST: Strike a pose in front of Millennial Park’s Cloud Gate sculpture (AKA “The Bean”), one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Shop ‘till you drop at Chicago’s Magnifi cent Mile.Take the elevator to the top of the John Hancock Center to see the city from the observation deck stories above the ground. For Urban ExplorersCChi-Town has it all — Food, Chi-Town has it all — Food, Carts and culture, shopping, Carts and culture, shopping, Cnightlife. You name it, you’ll nd it in Chicago. One of the most popular destinations is Navy Pier — which I N T E R S E C T I L L I N O I S 75Summer evening on Chicago's Magnificent Mile Image courtesy Enjoy IllinoisA hiker gazes out over the Garden of the Gods Image courtesy Enjoy IllinoisCloud Gate sculptureImage courtesy Enjoy Illinoisrecently celebrated its th anniversary and updated its attractions to honor the milestone. More than million people a year visit the park which o ers several fantastic restaurants, a Ferris wheel and other rides, the Chicago Children’s Museum and more. In fact, there are several highly acclaimed museums in Chicago: e Museum of Science and Industry as well the lakefront Museum Campus that houses the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium. Art lovers should pay a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago where they can browse the works of artists like Monet, Picasso and Warhol. 76 I N T E R S E C T IL L I N OI SP H OTO G A L L E R YWORLD-CLASS LIVINGAutumn Skyline of ChicagoPhoto: Getty ImagesAll images are courtesy of Enjoy Illinois unless noted otherwise.I N T E R S E C T I L L I N O I S 77Route66Chicago Wolves Hockey TeamGarden of the GodsChicago Cloud GatePhoto: by Daniel-BartoloFerne Clyffe State ParkPhoto by Heather OvermanNext >