By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is offering an opportunity for Illinois residents to showcase their artistic abilities by entering a statewide contest to design the 2018 Bicentennial Medallion.
Stuart Layne, executive director of the Illinois Bicentennial, said designs should highlight some part of the state’s 200-year history.
“I think we are open to all designs,” Layne said. “That’s why we reached out to the public to seek some creativity.”
Entrants can only submit one design. May 1 is the deadline to enter the contest. The public will vote on the top five designs between June 1 and June 15, and the winner will be chosen June 18. Layne said the winning design could be in Illinois households across the state for years to come.
“Coins are a very valued commemorative item when you do celebrations like this,” Layne said. “Even beyond coin collectors, people like to buy things and keep them as commemorative items.”
Contest judges from the Treasurer’s Office want to see content uniqueness, accuracy, quality, creativity and completion. Layne said the coin is a key part of the bicentennial merchandise collection.
“I think the coins and stamps play not only to the small set of collectors, but people who are interested in history, people who want to have a memento from the bicentennial,” Layne said.
Information about the contest and other ways to take part is available online at Illinois200.com.
