Issued to celebrate Illinois's bicentennial, this stamp's design is rich with symbolism. The rising sun represents Illinois becoming the 21st star on the American flag, and the 20 stars at the top represent the states that came before it. The color gradient from yellow to blue evokes a sunrise over the prairie. The stamp was designed by Illinois artist Michael Konetzka. The first-day ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield highlighted the state's rich history, from its frontier beginnings to its modern status as a center of commerce and culture, with Chicago playing a central role in that story.