LOCATION Springfield, Illinois, the capital of Illinois and the seat of Sangamon County government, is located at the intersection of Interstates 55 and 72. Chicago lies 200 miles northeast of Springfield; St. Louis and Indianapolis lie 100 miles southwest and 195 miles due east, respectively.

POPULATION Approximately 112,000

ECONOMY Balanced between the public and private sectors, Springfield has a well-diversified economic base. It serves as headquarters for 14 nationally known insurance companies and more than 165 state, regional and national associations. The community is a known leader in the health care industry, with a medical school and two major hospitals, as well as a world-renowned heart surgery institute. Springfield�s consumer market area lies within a ten-county region, encompassing 5,839 square miles, and supports products for export throughout the world, ranging from pastry mixes, livestock and poultry feeds to space-age electronics.

GOVERNMENT Springfield is the hub of Illinois political activity. One of the largest and most influential states in the U.S., the State Capitol building explodes with legislative activity each fall and spring. The city also serves as the seat of county government. The local government is based on a strong mayoral-aldermanic city council.

HISTORY A pioneer settlement started in 1820 when John Kelly built the first log cabin at the northeast corner of Second and Jefferson Streets. Springfield�s fertile soil and trading opportunities attracted other settlers from North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. Originally called Calhoun, Springfield received its permanent name in 1832 and was designated the state capital in 1837 with the help of a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln.

EDUCATION The University of Illinois at Springfield, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield College in Illinois and Robert Morris College offer students a diverse selection of higher education opportunities.

-more-

CLIMATE Moderate year-round temperatures. In the summer months, average temperatures range from 70-85� and in the winter months they range from 30-40�.

ACCOMMODATIONS With 38 hotel properties and more than 4,000 sleeping rooms, Springfield�s accommodations range from luxury four-star properties to budget facilities. Springfield also offers several historic bed and breakfast properties.

MEETINGS / Springfield�s Prairie Capital Convention Center offers more CONVENTIONS than 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting and convention space. The 360- acre Illinois State Fairgrounds can accommodate virtually any size event with its many facilities. The city�s four major convention hotels include the Crowne Plaza, Hilton, Northfield Inn, Suites and Conference Center and the Renaissance, all of which can accommodate small meetings to large conventions.

TRANSPORTATION Capital Airport provides many daily commuter flights serving St. Louis and Memphis, plus Chicago�s O�Hare and Midway. Amtrak runs twice daily between downtown Chicago and St. Louis. Springfield Mass Transit provides intra-city bus service, covering all sectors of the city. Greyhound provides inter-city bus service, while several taxi firms offer service within the city.

SIGHTSEEING Nearly one million visitors annually come to see Springfield�s historic Lincoln sites, which include the Lincoln Home and Neighborhood, Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices, Old State Capitol, Lincoln Tomb, Lincoln�s New Salem, and more. Other attractions include the Dana-Thomas House, the Illinois State Capitol and the Executive Mansion. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are scheduled to open in 2004.

YEAR-ROUND Springfield offers hundreds of exciting events throughout the EVENTS year. The Old Capitol Art Fair in May, International Carillon Festival in June, Illinois State Fair in August, International Route 66 Mother Road Festival and Springfield Air Rendezvous in September, and First Night Springfield on New Year�s Eve are some of the major annual events.

SHOPPING From charming, one-of-kind boutiques to national department chains, Springfield offers something for every shopping need. The city�s West Side is home to White Oaks Mall, (the largest central Illinois indoor shopping facility), national discount shopping centers, home improvement stores, state-of-the-art computer and home entertainment stores, fashion boutiques and more. The historical downtown area is brimming with specialty shops, antique stores, bakeries, art galleries and more.

# # #

Media Contact: Sharon Johnson +1 (217) 789-2360, ext 136 sjohnson@springfield.il.us