Certified Illinois Expert
@mrillinois.bsky.social
Expert in Illinois counties. Acting State Symbologist (self-appointed). Libraries, Lincoln, nature, architecture, transit. Book my library programs & get my newsletter at johnkokoris.com!
Sorry but if you are an old library with an “Illinois room,” I am going to be in love with you
November 14, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Sorry but if you are an old library with an “Illinois room,” I am going to be in love with you
Old St. Joseph/St. Clare Hospital in Alton, a beautiful late art deco behemoth from 1937
November 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Old St. Joseph/St. Clare Hospital in Alton, a beautiful late art deco behemoth from 1937
College Church at SLU
November 14, 2025 at 1:56 PM
College Church at SLU
Alton’s genealogy library. Beautiful!
November 14, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Alton’s genealogy library. Beautiful!
Nighttime in Alton
November 14, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Nighttime in Alton
Alton sunset
November 13, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Alton sunset
Literary technology in windows in SLU’s former library.
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Literary technology in windows in SLU’s former library.
Faces of Abe at his museum in Springfield
November 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Faces of Abe at his museum in Springfield
St. Louis Hills has this great collection of 30s-40s homes with Tudor and Art Deco touches and lots of stained glass that seems very different from what we have in Chicago homes. I even found a lovely art deco octagon home (#4 here).
November 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
St. Louis Hills has this great collection of 30s-40s homes with Tudor and Art Deco touches and lots of stained glass that seems very different from what we have in Chicago homes. I even found a lovely art deco octagon home (#4 here).
A few more pics of the Cathedral Basilica
November 13, 2025 at 2:58 PM
A few more pics of the Cathedral Basilica
Probably my favorite church
November 13, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Probably my favorite church
Three domes in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
November 13, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Three domes in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
Four more pics of St. Gabriel’s in St. Louis Hills. Thanks to the great @chickenjoestl.bsky.social for introducing me to this neighborhood last time I was in town.
November 13, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Four more pics of St. Gabriel’s in St. Louis Hills. Thanks to the great @chickenjoestl.bsky.social for introducing me to this neighborhood last time I was in town.
Nighttime at the striking St. Gabriel’s in St. Louis Hills. More pics below!
November 13, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Nighttime at the striking St. Gabriel’s in St. Louis Hills. More pics below!
One of only 5 handwritten copies of the Gettysburg Address is on display at the Lincoln presidential library/museum thru this month in this protective smart glass case that is fully opaque unless you push a button.
November 12, 2025 at 9:32 PM
One of only 5 handwritten copies of the Gettysburg Address is on display at the Lincoln presidential library/museum thru this month in this protective smart glass case that is fully opaque unless you push a button.
The old state capitol where Lincoln finished out his career as a state legislator (after helping to move the capital to Springfield a few years prior)
November 12, 2025 at 8:06 PM
The old state capitol where Lincoln finished out his career as a state legislator (after helping to move the capital to Springfield a few years prior)
Prairie Archives’ innovative box storage system
November 12, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Prairie Archives’ innovative box storage system
Selfie in Lincoln’s shaving mirror
November 12, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Selfie in Lincoln’s shaving mirror
In honor of Polish Independence Day, some truly remarkable sgraffito art by Jozef Slawinski on the lower level of the mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice. The whole floor is filled with art depicting people and scenes from Polish history
November 12, 2025 at 5:47 AM
In honor of Polish Independence Day, some truly remarkable sgraffito art by Jozef Slawinski on the lower level of the mausoleum at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice. The whole floor is filled with art depicting people and scenes from Polish history
Lincoln books at Prairie Archives bookstore in Springfield
November 12, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Lincoln books at Prairie Archives bookstore in Springfield
Look at this big mfer in Auburn. Hello
November 11, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Look at this big mfer in Auburn. Hello
Very good - Springfield
November 11, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Very good - Springfield
Mr. Accordion
November 11, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Mr. Accordion
Love this building in oak park
November 10, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Love this building in oak park