Illinois to America: The Stories That Shape Us

Essays must meet the following minimum word count:

• Grades: 6–8: 200 words
• Grades 9–12: 500 words

Entries must be typed and double-spaced in 12pt font.

Entries must:

• Adhere to all submission guidelines and word count.
• Be original work.
• Be developed by one student, not a group or team. One submission per student.
• Be suitable for general audiences.
• Include a completed release form signed by a parent or guardian.

Entries must not:

• Include the use of AI to draft, edit, or format.
  • Essays suspected of AI use or plagiarism will be disqualified.
• Contain content, images, or other material that is discriminatory, misleading, indecent, obscene, hateful, or tortious.
• Include identifying information in the body of the essay, such as real names, addresses, phone numbers, or school name.
• Violate or infringe (or include content that violates or infringes) any third-party rights, including but not limited to third party privacy, publicity, trade secret, and or intellectual property rights, including registered and/or common law trademarks, copyrights, and patents.

• Winners will be announced on July 4th, 2026.
• Prizes include:
  • Winning essays on display at the:
    • 2026 Illinois State Fair
    • Lieutenant Governor’s Chicago and Springfield offices
  • Limited-edition Lieutenant Governor Challenge Coin
  • Letter and certificate from the Lieutenant Governor
  • Plus other exciting surprises!

• Entries that do not adhere to submission guidelines and/or word count requirements will not be considered.
• Entries will be sorted into three grade level categories: 6–8 grade, 9–10 grade, and 11–12 grade. The sponsor of this competition reserves the right to further sort entries by geographic region.
• Entries will be judged by a panel of State of Illinois employees.

• By entering, students grant permission for their work to be displayed, published, or shared by the contest sponsor.
• The contest sponsor will not be responsible for late, lost, incomplete, incomprehensible, damaged, or misdirected entries; all of which are void. Printed copies of entries mailed to the sponsor or email content sent to the sponsor becomes the property of the sponsor upon receipt. Entries will not be acknowledged or returned.
• By participating in this contest agree to these official rules and the decisions of the sponsor, which are binding and final in all matters relating to this contest.

• All entries must be accompanied by a completed release form signed by a parent or guardian.