Illinois | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/illinois/RSS feed for IllinoisenMon, 21 Sep 2026 17:56:03 +0000An Armadillo Found in Ohio Is the Latest Surprise in the Armored Animals' Expansion North. Where Are They Now, and What's Driving Their Movement?https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-armadillo-found-in-ohio-is-the-latest-surprise-in-the-armored-animals-expansion-north-where-are-they-now-and-whats-driving-their-movement-180989530/Typically spotted in the South and Southeast, the creatures have been reaching increasingly distant states like North Carolina, Virginia and Illinois as winters become milderMon, 21 Sep 2026 17:56:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-armadillo-found-in-ohio-is-the-latest-surprise-in-the-armored-animals-expansion-north-where-are-they-now-and-whats-driving-their-movement-180989530/An 'Extremely Rare' Half-Male, Half-Female Bird Temporarily Took Up Residence Outside of Chicagohttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-extremely-rare-half-male-half-female-bird-temporarily-took-up-residence-outside-of-chicago-180989377/The unusual-looking bobolink is what's called a bilateral gynandromorph. The bird behaved like a male, eventually wooing a mate and raising fledglingsFri, 21 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-extremely-rare-half-male-half-female-bird-temporarily-took-up-residence-outside-of-chicago-180989377/Schlitz Beer, an Iconic Midwestern Pour, Runs Dry in Chicago After 177 Years. Its Legacy, However, Goes Far Beyond the Pint Glasshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/schlitz-beer-an-iconic-midwestern-pour-officially-runs-dry-in-chicago-after-177-years-180989342/With significant roles in the Great Chicago Fire, 1893 World’s Fair and modern-day architecture, the beer’s impact on the Windy City is undeniableFri, 14 Aug 2026 18:05:07 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/schlitz-beer-an-iconic-midwestern-pour-officially-runs-dry-in-chicago-after-177-years-180989342/