5 reasons to move your family to Illinois

Photo: Jonas Ferlin/PEXELS

SNS - If you are planning to relocate to Illinois with your family, you will not be making a mistake. If you're curious about what makes the Prairie State perfect for settling down, keep reading and learn all about the benefits of moving there. You will discover five reasons why you should plan to move your family to Illinois.

Prepare for the move
Before you relocate, take your time to familiarize yourself with this state. Learn what it offers to families, find a new home, and discover the best places to raise your children. Along with that, you should also do your best to prepare your kids for the upcoming move. So, if they are old enough to understand what's happening, try including them in the relocating project. And even though sticking to their routine is a key to successful parenting, challenge them and give them chores. That will help them overcome this move more easily and quickly.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

1. Education opportunities
Educational opportunities are among the best benefits of living in Illinois with your family. Home to prestigious universities such as the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago, the state offers world-class higher education options.

Additionally, Illinois features strong public school systems in many areas, ensuring quality education for children from kindergarten through high school. Whether pursuing advanced degrees or establishing a solid foundation for their children's academic journey, families in Illinois have access to a diverse range of educational resources and institutions to support their goals. In other words, when you relocate here, you can relax knowing your kids will get a high-quality education.

2. Cultural activities
Illinois is a treasure trove of cultural activities, offering something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Chicago, the state's cultural hub, is home to world-renowned museums such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, and the Museum of Science and Industry. These places are known for providing enriching experiences for art, history, and science enthusiasts alike.

Runners start out at the annual St. Joseph 5K. There are various community festivals and athletic events, recreational and pro, all summer long in Illinois.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

What’s more, the city's vibrant theater scene, including Broadway productions and local performances, ensures a steady stream of entertainment year-round. Beyond Chicago, Illinois is home to charming small towns with galleries, theaters, and music venues showcasing local talent and fostering community engagement. From attending live performances to exploring art galleries and cultural festivals, Illinois offers diverse cultural activities that inspire and entertain residents of all ages.

3. Wide range of housing options
Illinois offers a range of affordable residential opportunities, making it an attractive choice for families seeking a comfortable place to call home. While certain areas may have higher housing costs, the state provides diverse options for various budgets and preferences. Thanks to that, your new living space can be an apartment in an urban neighborhood, a house in a suburban area, or whatever option you desire. Illinois offers a mix of housing styles and neighborhoods to accommodate different lifestyles, and you won't have any trouble finding the perfect place for your family to settle down.

Hire pros for help
However, if you prefer to live in an urban location like Chicago, it is important to have a good real estate agent by your side. With this expert as your partner, you can complete this house-hunting process in no time. In addition to that, when relocating to Chicago, it is recommended to ask movers to help you safely transfer your belongings to a new home. This way, even if you are planning on moving here from Florida, you can rest assured your possessions will be safe. With the help of these specialists, you can have a smooth move whether you want to relocate to Chicago or its nearby areas in East Central Illinois, like Tolono, St. Joseph, or Urbana.

4. Employment opportunities

Minimum wage is currently at $14 per hour in Illinois. There is no shortage of jobs or opportunities for self-employment paying more in both urban and rural areas around the state.
Photo by Mikael Blomkvist/PEXELS

The Prairie State offers diverse employment opportunities across various industries, which is another great reason to move your family to Illinois. This state is home to major finance, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services corporations. Illinois is also a good destination for anyone who plans to start their own business.

It is also important to know that the state has strong employment sectors outside of big cities like Chicago. Thanks to that, you probably won't have any problems getting a job in suburban or rural areas. You can find work opportunities there in agriculture, education, logistics, and more. So, whether you're looking to advance your career or explore new professional avenues, know that Illinois provides a dynamic and diverse job market to meet your aspirations.

5. Quality of life
Illinois offers a high quality of life characterized by a unique blend of urban excitement and natural beauty. With vibrant cities like Chicago providing many cultural attractions, dining experiences, and entertainment options, residents can enjoy a dynamic urban lifestyle.

Alyssa Teijeiro-Ficht (right) leads a Flamenco dance workshop at Lincoln Square Mall on Saturday during the Boneyard Arts Festival in Urbana. There is no shortage of culture even in smaller Illinois cities like Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal, and Springfield for residents to enjoy.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

When you settle into your new home beyond the city limits, you'll notice that the state has picturesque landscapes, including scenic parks, lakeshores, and forest preserves, offering abundant outdoor recreation and relaxation opportunities. Apart from that, Illinois' central location offers easy access to neighboring states and major metropolitan areas.

When planning to move your family to Illinois, know that this state presents a compelling destination for parents and kids! It offers a perfect blend of opportunity, culture, and quality of life. Therefore, it is no wonder that Illinois welcomes families with open arms, promising a fulfilling and enriching experience for those who choose to make it their home.



Storm's Macie Russell to further running career at EIU

Salt Fork's Macie Russell run the second lap around Detweiller Park in Peoria during the 2024 IHSA State Cross Country Meet. The senior signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her running career with Eastern Illinois University.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

CATLIN - Salt Fork senior Macie Russell, a five-sport athlete during her time at Salt Fork High School, inked her commitment to run track at Eastern Illinois University on Sunday. The three-time state qualifier in the 800-meter run chose EIU over Heartland Community College, Indiana State, and Olivet Nazarene.

Macie Russell runs a lap at O'Brien Stadium during the 2023 state track meet. She finished 27th overall as a junior in the Class 1A division.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Russell, who owns five Vermilion County championship titles in track and cross country and six conference titles in the two other sports, looks to qualify a fourth time in her specialty for the IHSA Girls' State Track & Field finals in May.

During her junior year track season, she qualified for state in the 800-meter run and the mile. Russell missed the cut for a spot in the championship race at O'Brien Stadium by a mere two and a half seconds last May, turning in a 2:25.94. She also ran the qualifier for the 1600-meter run, finishing 27th in the prelims at 5:39.82.

At the state cross-country meet last November at Detweiler Park, Russell crossed the finish line 47th out of a field of 247 runners with a time of 18:49.51.

Russell is the daughter of Brian and Becky and has two siblings, Mackenzie and Morgan.



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Vikings win 4A basketball title, crushing Ironmen at state

CHAMPAIGN - With Homewood-Flossmoor's Donald Hagemaster, Caleb Chavers, Gakobie Mcneal and Bryce Heard looking on, Normal Community's Nico Newsome dives after a loose ball during their Class 4A championship game at the IHSA Boys' Basketball State Finals on March 9. The Ironmen finished runner-ups after losing to the Vikings, 60-48. Newsome finished the title game with five points in his 11 minutes on the floor at the State Farm Arena on Saturday.

Photo:Sentinel/Clark Brooks


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6 questions with Jason Zumwalt

CHAMPAIGN - We caught up with the Centennial head coach Jason Zumwalt over spring break to get the scoop on the upcoming boys' tennis season. Zumwalt, a veteran player, competitor, and tennis instructor in the Champaign-Urbana community is entering his second season as head coach for the Chargers.


Sentinel: How long have you been involved in tennis?

Jason Zumwalt celebrates a point while playing in the annual Champaign Park District Labor Day Tournament in 2016.

Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks

Zumwalt: "I started playing when I was a little kid. I played at Dunlap High School and went to state with them. I was a walk-on at Bradley University in Peoria. I moved to Champaign and got a job with Ameren. I was an instructor at Atkins (Tennis Center). I taught a lot of private lessons in the area and then moved on to coaching. I've been the head coach for two years and one year before that (at Centennial High School). Pretty much all my life."


Sentinel: What's the fun part about coaching?

Zumwalt: "Oh, man. Just the togetherness of the team. Watching these guys become better players but also molding them in life lesson, too. Just getting to know all the guys, the families and the togetherness; watching them grow not only as tennis players but young men as well."


Sentinel: Who are Centennial's top three players this season?

Zumwalt: "That would be Jason Kim, Tyler Luchinski, and Joaquin Leon."


Zumwalt crushes the ball in a singles match in first-day competition at the 2016 Labor Day Tournament.
Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks

Sentinel: Who are your two sleepers this season?

Zumwalt: "You saw one today, Ayan Ehsan. He has jumped way up from a little bit of off-season play. (He) really started in January and February of this year, getting out when he could. He is looking like he is slotted in at number six.

Another guy who was here today, who is one of the other most-improved players, is Matthew Jan. He won't make varsity, but he will be playing towards the top of JV."


Sentinel: Who are the toughest matches on your schedule?

Zumwalt: "Obviously, it will be Central, which we all know how good they are, even though they lost four guys from their state third last year. University High will be the main team we will compete against for the sectional title. They are really good and they are deep. Normal Community is always really good. They are in 2A."


Sentinel: What advice do you have anyone who wants to learn to play tennis?

Zumwalt: "Go out on your own or get a few lessons and see if you enjoy it. It's not the easiest, but the one thing I always say about tennis is that it is a life-long sport, like golf. You are not always going to be able to play football, basketball, or baseball. Tennis and sports like golf, you can play forever. I think it is an amazing sport and it is also great sport socially, too. I have so many friends and acquaintences in tennis as several of us do. I would say just go out with your family and whoever, see if you enjoy it and go from there."



St. Joseph-Ogden Athletic Schedule March 18-24

Addison Frick takes a swing at a Salt Fork pitch during the Spartans' first home game of the season. SJO prevailed, 6-3. The St. Joseph-Ogden varsity softball team has four games on this week's schedule. Meanwhile, the baseball team will have very little time to practice this week with their five-game campaign over the next seven days.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks





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