ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are holding an essay contest for students in the 27th Senate District to showcase their writing abilities and knowledge of American history.

There are two essay prompts for different grade levels.

4th and 5th Graders must answer the question "What is Abraham Lincoln’s greatest accomplishment and how is it relevant today?" (3 page max.)

7th and 8th Graders are asked to answer the question "What lessons learned from Lincoln's life and public service can be applied to government and politics today?" (5 page max.)

Essays can be submitted to Senator Gillespie’s district office or electronically at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Jan. 27, 2020. All submissions should include the student’s name, school, home address, and the best contact information for their parents.

Winners will be announced on Lincoln’s 211th birthday on Feb. 12, 2020. The winning author from each age group will receive a certificate from the Illinois Senate, free admission to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the opportunity to be Senator Gillespie’s page for a day on the Senate floor in Springfield.