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Certified Illinois Expert

@mrillinois.bsky.social

1.7K followers 330 following 1.4K posts

Expert in Illinois counties. Acting State Symbologist (self-appointed). Libraries, Lincoln, nature, architecture, transit. Book my library programs & get my newsletter at johnkokoris.com!

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Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 4h

Horrific

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 11h

Folks u are running out of time to see my “Great Graves of IL” lecture before Halloween. Tomorrow evening see me at Hinsdale Library. Covering big names, scenic boneyards, state trivia, books, and more. We can even chat beforehand. Pictured: Grave of (still living) Sen. Roland Burris

Above ground tomb for Sen Burris and his wife Dr Burris

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Reposted by Certified Illinois Expert

Soren Spicknall @sorenspicknall.bsky.social · 1d

Two friends are in Japan right now and found this at a store called "America Obsessed" - calling @mrillinois.bsky.social

A sweatshirt with a red collared shirt underneath it on a mannequin, displaying the crest of Decatur, Illinois with the word "Decatur" in huge text over top of it.

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Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 1d

Buy………. For the love of god whatever they’re charging is a fraction of the value… they know not what they have

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 1d

Cool find. I like Ives’ folk work. A great Illinoisan songster. His caving to anticommunist politics and to some degree snitching on his friends puts a damper on my joy in listening to him but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I guess if Pete Seeger can forgive him, I can too.

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 1d

Another section of the world’s largest stained glass installation at Resurrection Cemetery. Here we have an epiphany scene.

Mother, infant, magi, shepherds, animals, it’s all there

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 1d

Cool retro Riverside house/car(s)

A mustang parked in front of a 1940s(?) boxy cream brick moderne house. Another car at least 25 years old is behind it.

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 2d

“We are immigrants, not criminals” in Berwyn. ✊

Skeletons selling paletas, tamales and elote

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Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 3d

Neighbors in Berwyn

Sign that says Jesus is my savior Trump is my president

Accurate flag that says Trump is a pedophile

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Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 3d

The angel’s flaming sword blocking Adam and Eve from the garden

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Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 4d

Moses and Noah, and David playing that secret chord

Noah on the boat, animals there and a rainbow. It’s all in stained glass btw

David playing the harp. This is all
At resurrection cemetery’s mausoleum

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 4d

Great news everyone, my next 10,000 tweets are going to be pictures of the mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery

St. Thomas statue in front of massive stained glass window (outside)

The midcentury modern mausoleum with its giant window and white columns

Interior showing the windows casting colored light upon hallway and wall of crypts

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Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 4d

Hoping to squeeze in a few minutes of Canal tourism on my way to Homer Glen tonight (giving my cemetery lecture at 6:30 if you are in the area!)

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 5d

I know the left here (of which I guess count myself a member) is beginning to sour on JB after some missteps but I can't help but like the guy, his media instincts I think are better than 99% of Democrats.

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 5d

Oh man. This has been in the works for awhile. I love the building and the antique stores inside it are v cool. LG does need more housing though... Hoping there's a compromise that keeps the front part of the bldg in tact and maybe event the ground floor retail 🤞

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 6d

Event at 7!
www.cslibrary.org/event/great-...

Great Graves of Illinois (In-Person) | Carol Stream Public Library

With one eye always on the future, we help our community members live their best lives by providing quality informational, education, cultural and recreational resources.

www.cslibrary.org

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 6d

Heading back to Carol Stream tonight if you’re in the area and want to see my Illinois Cemeteries lecture!

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · Jun 13

Carol Stream Public Library, a nice 1977 brick building along Klein Creek with a 2019 renovation. Highlight is the patio space with hanging lights overlooking a little grove of trees and wildflowers. Wish I had taken more pics!

Front of building, which is low and rectangular

Waterfall window looks into quiet reading room. Large windows (replacing a solid brick wall) look out onto patio with hanging lights

A look at the patio from outside with trees and grasses visible

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Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 6d

TWO Mr. Illinois programs today! Catch me at the Center of Palos Park, a truly beautiful place that serves a good cause, at 12 (lunch)/1 (Central IL lecture), or at Carol Stream Library at 7 (cemeteries lecture).

a triangular stone chapel surrounded by trees

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 7d

La Grange Theater marquee, italic san serif font with neon inner line and ornate facade visible behind

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Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 8d

I felt like the only person on earth here! I was only there at twilight because I’d fallen hours behind schedule and had a tough time locating the spot. My grandfather had told me about it and i never made it there, he is gone now and to find it just before i ran out of time was indeed very moving

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 8d

Hinsdale’s Memorial Hall lit in red and white for homecoming.

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 9d

So cool. Gorgeous. Maher usually exists in Frank Lloyd wrights shadow but he was a genius. If you’re ever in Chicago gimme a holler and I’ll tell u where to check out for more of his stuff!

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Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 9d

This is Great! About a million times I’ve intended to look up the original Kenilworth and then forgot. Interesting that kenilworth and neighboring tiny, wealthy town of Glencoe both have sisters on the British isles. Thank for these!

Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 10d

Incredible u could find it with like no information. There is something vaguely California about this one to me, it gives me the vaguest mission style vibes. Didn’t realize Maher design anything in Pasadena, I was out there once to admire architecture & woukdve sought it out! Such a cool city

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Certified Illinois Expert @mrillinois.bsky.social · 10d

It’s George Maher’s Frank Sutton house. Sad to say it just sold last month so we’ll have to wait awhile before we get a chance to buy it (ha). Not a ton about it but here’s the listing w some interior pics. Sold for 800k less than asking!
paulharb.realtor/property/338...

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