CHICAGO ( 25News Now ) - America’s 250th birthday is right around the corner, and Illinois is planning its own celebrations.

In Chicago on Wednesday, state officials announced the framework for the celebration. The announcement came on the anniversary of Illinois becoming the 21st state in 1818.

The celebration will be a yearlong statewide event that will feature new programming, special events and education. This includes the upcoming America 250 exhibit at the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the ongoing Democracy Dialogues at the McLean County History Museum.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said that the celebration will be a time to look back and tell the stories of the people who made the state of Illinois great.

“It will be an opportunity to reflect on the past 250 years, to educate one another

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