| The idea for a state organization
was formed when a group of collectors got together at
the Corn Belt Coin Club Show in 1959 to discuss numismatics
in general. The first organizational meeting was held
at the Peoria Coin Club Show at the Hotel Pere Marquette
in September of 1959. Goals of the new State organization
were to futher numismatics through knowledge and to
promote annual three-day shows around the state by hosting
clubs. Officers elected at this first meeting were:
President-Ralph Winquist of Rockford, Vice President-Glenn
Murphy of Armington, Treasurer-Bob Okell of Bloomington,
and Secretary-Marjorie Baker of Peoria. Governors elected
were: Lester Beatty, Jesse Peters, James Kaczor, Walter
Loud, Connie Anderson, Charles Moler, and Kenneth Mabray.
Dues were set at $1.00 per year. From
this beginning in 1959, shows were held in Peoria,
Chicago, Centralia, Mattoon, Springfield, LaSalle,
Joliet, and Moline in the ensuing years. Some of the
shows were quite large as the hobby grew in the 70's
and 80's.
Today ILNA's principal goals
are to promote the hobby among the young, serve the
membership and hold a three-day show and convention
each year. Our association at present has 374 paid
members as well as 28 local clubs around the state.
One of our programs, through a capable board is to
furnish speakers when requested, to local clubs. A
digest is published four times a year, which contains
various articles on numismatics by capable writers,
as well as advertising and other pertinent material
about numismatics and the association. Show dates
and other material for local member clubs are also
published. We make programs available for schools,
Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts upon request. We hold
a youth auction at our State show to further the collecting
interest of that age group. We have begun giving a
free youth seminar scholarship to ANA summer program.
Our commitment to the next generation is to hopefully
start them collecting at a young age for a life time
of enjoyment.
Help from our membership is
appreciated at all levels even if it is only paying
dues on time. Donations of numismatic material for
various programs would be greatly appreciated. As
would monetary donations to fund YN programs. Our
board and officers for the most part, receive no pay
and it is mainly their dedication that keeps our organization
alive. Our main expense is printing and mailing the
Digest four times a year. As a member, what do you
want to get out of ILNA? It depends, what you are
willing to put into your state organization. We are
growing bigger and better each year. Tell your numismatic
friends about us.
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| The ILNA website was selected
as the site for the official unveiling of the new dollar
coin, live via the World Wide Web. First
Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, accompanied by dignitaries
and members of the Native American, numismatic, and
women's communities, met at the White House to officially
announce the winning coin design.
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