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Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971. Here is a look at how Americans have celebrated through the years while also honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Sky-high property taxes, the second-highest outbound migration numbers in the country, and now a gas tax (the 2nd highest in the entire nation) is about to take an even bigger bite out of your wallet. It's really no surprise when you read polling information that says 50 percent of Illinois residents would leave the state if they could.

This $2.7 billion sales tax increase would be on top of all the other taxes that Illinoisans pay, and I think it's safe to say you'll be shocked at what Illinois lawmakers now want to tax.

You can feel however you want to feel, but I just don't trust someone who doesn't love a donut (or, doughnut, if you prefer--but it takes less time to type "donut"). I don't mean that you have to eat them daily for me to trust you, but I'm suspicious of anyone who says they hate donuts. Sue me.

Illinois residents who love waterparks are living in the right place. Not only is one of America's top waterparks right here in the Land of Lincoln, Illinois is within easy driving distance of several more of the top waterparks in the whole country.

Sure, you could check the latest weather forecasts each week to see what's in store for us weather-wise, but why do that when you can check the almanacs for weather predictions made months ago?

Many people clearly remember the shock and horror of the 1982 Illinois Tylenol murders, but for those who don't, Netflix is coming out with a three-part documentary on the crime that scared the hell out of Illinois and the entire nation and changed the way products are packaged to this very day.

A new study released this week grades over 3,000 hospitals across the United States for safety on an A through F grading scale. Over 30 Illinois hospitals were on the receiving end of an A grade, although Illinois did have hospitals that got grades of B, C, D, and even one hospital got an F.

Not only do these four cities have the highest property taxes in the entire nation, Illinois cities actually hold 5 out of the 6 spots for overall highest property taxes. Looking at the numbers, it's not surprising that Illinois is usually at the top, or near the top, of states that are losing population year after year.

They're here in Illinois throughout the winter, spring, summer, and fall, so pretty much everyone is familiar with them. However, there are some things that you may not have noticed about Illinois' official state bird.