Governor Ryan Announces Commemorative Quarter Design Concepts

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced the official design themes submitted to the U.S. Mint for the reverse side of the Illinois Commemorative Quarter. The Mint will use these themes to create three to five candidate designs, which will be returned to Illinois for a final selection process later this year.

"I thank the members of the Quarter Committee and the teens from Futures for Kids for helping me select the best ideas," Governor Ryan said. The Governor asked a committee of educators, state agency personnel, and private citizens to make recommendations on which ideas or concepts would best honor Illinois. Fourteen teenagers representing Futures for Kids, also shared their thoughts with the Governor's Office about which ideas would best represent Illinois.

Governor Ryan chose three themes, represented by five drawings, for the Mint's review. The official design themes are:

• Illinois History (Rural, Lincoln, and Urban)

  The theme of Illinois History highlights the rural, urban, and political history of Illinois. This idea includes a traditional farm setting, a city skyline, and a portrait of a young Abraham Lincoln in an outline of the State of Illinois. A drawing by Thom Cicchelli of Chicago will be submitted to the Mint with this theme.

• Illinois Agriculture and Industry

  The second more modern theme of Agriculture and Industry exemplifies Illinois' dual role as a leader in agriculture and industry. As Chicago is also a transportation hub for the world, a variety of transportation symbols are included in this theme. A drawing by Lute Wassman of Wilmette and a drawing by Daniel Wilson of Williamsville will be submitted to the Mint with this theme. Daniel Wilson is a student at Williamsville Junior High School.
  
  

• State Symbols of Illinois

  The third and final theme of State Symbols includes the official bird, flower, insect, tree, and animal (the cardinal, violet, monarch butterfly, white oak, and white tailed deer, respectively). Students from all across Illinois expressed the pride they feel for these symbols and the respect they have for Illinois' natural beauty. This design theme could include Illinois' nickname, The Prairie State. A drawing by Martina Barnat of Burbank and a drawing by Marcie Oakes of Bartlett will be submitted to the Mint with this theme. Martina Barnat is a student at Luther Burbank Elementary School and Marcie Oakes is a student at Bartlett High School.

"This is a special program and it is an honor to present these ideas to the Mint," said Governor Ryan. "We have a lot to be proud of in Illinois, and these design themes capture our rich heritage."

The illustrations that were submitted to the Mint can be viewed in the Press Release section of the Illinois Commemorative Quarter Web Site. According to the Governor's Office of Citizen Assistance, over 6,000 Illinoisans, many of whom are students, submitted ideas to the Governor's Office.

The Commemorative Quarter Program celebrates the history and heritage of the 50 United States in the order in which they ratified the Constitution and joined the Union. Illinois will be honored in 2003, along with Alabama, Maine, Missouri, and Arkansas.