On behalf of Director Brian Hamer and the Illinois Department of Revenue, I cordially invite you to attend the 2008 Midwest Region Motor Fuel Conference held in Springfield, Illinois; the town that Abraham Lincoln loved.
Springfield is a city rich in history and small town friendliness. Situated between St. Louis and Chicago, Springfield enjoys a relaxed pace that visitors appreciate as they take in the local sites that the city and the surrounding area have to offer. Being the “Land of Lincoln”, thousands of visitors enjoy the Lincoln experience annually throughout central Illinois as they tour New Salem State Historic Site and Park and Lincoln’s home, law office, and tomb, and learn about the Civil War era as they peruse priceless documents and artifacts at Lincoln’s Presidential Library and Museum.
As his time in Springfield neared the end, Lincoln stood on a platform at the Great Western Depot as he departed for Washington on February 11, 1861. In a voice filled with emotion, he shared his affection for the city of Springfield in which he had lived, worked, and raised a family. Standing on the rain-swept platform he said, “My friends – No one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born and one is buried...To His care I am commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.”
Please join us for our conference and bring the family if you can. I have included on this site various links to tourism and vacation opportunities. We hope you enjoy your visit to Springfield and find our conference will meet your expectations.
Trent Knoles
Midwest Regional Governor
2008 |
