Hobbies in Illinois run on leisure trends, personal achievements and the formation of groups, and coverage here follows all of it. Reporting explores what people do in their free time and the growth of activities across the state.
A federal judge ruled that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, not the state, has authority over prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.
Live Poll
Would you ever use an online prediction market to trade on sports or current events?
Live Poll
Would you donate your natural Christmas tree to a local lake habitat project?
Donated trees are being bundled, weighted and placed underwater to create fish habitat in the southern Illinois reservoir.
A $30 FastPlay ticket produced the largest of three big online prizes reported by the Illinois Lottery on Sunday.
Conservation Police outline season dates, clothing requirements and harvest reporting ahead of the November firearm season.
Greencorps Chicago crew members worked with Shawnee National Forest's trail crew to reduce erosion on forest trails.
Live Poll
Do you believe local art contests effectively support creative development in your community's schools?
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and state educators are inviting students to showcase their creativity.
This section follows leisure trends, individual hobbyist achievements, group activities and the rise of specific pastimes. Reporting reaches from the capital to the rural counties where these interests develop. Recreational patterns are often dictated by the seasonal shifts in weather and the availability of public and private space. The transition from niche interest to widespread trend remains the most frequent theme in state hobby reporting.
