The Cleanup Continues

Workers continue to clean up the grounds around the U.S. Capitol today following yesterday's inaugural ceremonies.

Rep. Art Turner on the Change that President Obama Will Bring

From Washington, DC: Rep. Art Turner attends the Illinois State Society's Inaugural Gala on January 19 and tells us how he thinks President Obama will bring change. The Gala was attended by some 6,000 current and former Illinoisans.

"Notable Men & Women of Illinois"

January 19, 2009: The theme of the Illinois State Society Inaugural Gala was "Notable Men and Women of Illinois." Getting into the fun spirit of the evening, high schoolers from across Illinois represented Illinois' real and fictional heroes. Included was a student from Metropolis dressed as Superwoman; students from Chester, where a favorite son invented the Popeye characters; and a student from Galena dressed as real-life American hero President Ulysses S. Grant.

View from the Illinois State Society's Inaugural Gala

Here is the view from the inside of last night's Illinois State Society Inaugural Gala.

More Illinoisans in Washington, DC

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke and State Senator Kirk Dillard in DC taking in the festivities on the eve of President Obama's Inaugural.

Text of President Obama's Inaugural Address

The full text of President Obama's Inaugural Address can be found here.

Watch Live Coverage of Inaugural Ceremonies NOW on C-SPAN

Live coverage of the Inaugural Ceremonies is being broadcast right now on C-SPAN. Click here to watch!

Watch for Coverage from the Illinois State Society's Inaugural Gala

(Picture from set-up this morning.)

The Illinois Channel is currently attending the Illinois State Society's Inaugural Gala. Photos and videos from the event will be available on our website tomorrow morning. Check them out at www.illinoischannel.org.

Presidential Inaugural Committee Releases Planned Order of Inaugural Parade

From the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009

Washington, D.C. - Today, the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) released a list of participants in the Inaugural Parade in the order of planned appearance. Over 10,000 people from all 50 states will follow the President and Vice President from the Capitol down the 1.5 mile route on Pennsylvania Avenue. Music and cultural groups will join representatives from our Armed Forces in the historic parade, which concludes at the presidential reviewing stand, where the President and Vice President will watch the processional with their families.

The list below reflects the planned order for the Inaugural Parade. Please note that the participants and their order in the Inaugural Parade are not considered final until the parade begins.

To stay informed of any changes in the parade line-up, follow the twitter feed http://twitter.com/aficpao. This requires signing up for a free Twitter account if you don't already have one.

Planned Parade Order:

Representatives from the US Army, United States Military Academy & US Army Reserve
Punahou School JROTC
Punahou School Marching Band
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School Navy JROTC
Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps
Jesse White Tumbling Team
Florida A&M University Marching 100 Band
Crow Nation of Montana
Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School Marching Band
Illinois Home State Float
Brooklyn Music and Arts Program
Theodore Roosevelt High School Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard and Drill Team
Colts Drum and Bugle Corps
Klein Collins High School Air Force JROTC
Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums
Southern Ohio Ladies Aside
Redwood Middle School Marching Band and Auxiliary Units
Representatives of the US Marine Corps and US Marine Corps Reserve
Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association
University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hen Marching Band, The Pride of Delaware
Delaware Home State Float
Alexis I. duPont High School Band
Comfort Carriages
Tuskegee Airmen
Delaware State University Marching Band
Special Olympics Inc.
Sanford High School Marching Band
Peace Corps Community
Adams Central High School Patriot Band
Oneida Nation Veterans
Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps
Idaho State Leadership: State and Tribal Representatives
Roosevelt High School Marching Band
Suurimmaanitchuat Eskimo Dance Group
South Cobb High School Blue Eagle Marching Band
Representatives of the US Navy, US Naval Academy & US Navy Reserve
Brattleboro High School Marching Band
George Washington UniversityPetal High School Marching Band
Freedom Riders
Bonnie Brae Knights
Federal Protection Service
Trumbull High School Golden Eagle Marching Band
American Workers Contingent
East Greenwich High School Avenger Band
Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard, First Infantry Division, Fort Riley KS
Green Valley High School Marching Band
Angel Drill Team
Manning High School Golden Pride Marching Band
Wind River Reservation Youth Council
Lincoln Highway National Museum and Archives
University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band
Tempel Lipizzans of Tempel Farms
University of Arkansas Marching Band
Representatives of the US Air Force, US Air Force Academy & US Air Force Reserve
Mountain Ridge High School Pride of the West Marching Band
United Tribes Technical College
Montana Delegation
Hampton University Marching Force
AmeriCorps Alums
North Allegheny High School Tiger Marching Band
World Famous Lawn Rangers from Amazing Arcola
Blue Springs High School Golden Regiment Marching Band
McCrossan Boys Ranch
Colony High School Knights Marching Band
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, Company A
54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment
Espanola Valley High School Mariachi Sol Del Valle
1965 Mustang of the DC Metropolitan Police Department
Grambling State University World Famed Tiger Marching Band
Nicholas County Army JROTC, the Wilderness Battalion
J. P. Taravella High School Band
Representatives of the US Coast Guard, US Coast Guard Academy & US Coast Guard Reserve
Morton High School Marching Band
U.S. Border Patrol
Harding University High School Marching Band of Gold
Hawaii Home State Float
Howard University Showtime Marching Band
Pennsylvania Home State Float
Lesbian and Gay Band Association
Mobile Azalea Trail Maids
Londonderry High School Marching Lancer Band and Color Guard
T.C. Williams High School Army JROTC
Windsor High School Marching Band
Michigan's Multi Jurisdictional Mounted Police Drill Team and Color Guard
Ohio State University Marching Band
Boy Scouts of America, Troop 358, Philadelphia, PA
Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital, Troops 1803 & 382
Fergus Falls High School Marching Band
Representatives from the US Merchant Marine Academy
Evergreen High School Marching Band
Culver Academies
Carl Sandburg High School Marching Eagles
USO FloatCarnaval de San Anto, the URBAN 15 Group
Prevention Partnership, Warren County, KY Sheriff's Office
Siloam Springs High School Band
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association CCBA
Get a Life Marching Band
Union High School Air Force JROTC
University of Utah Marching Band
Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets
NASA Astronaut Crew and NASA Lunar Electric Rover

For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit www.pic2009.org.

Presidential Inaugural Committee Encourages Families to Develop Plan for Mall

From the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - With large crowds expected for the Inaugural Parade and the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama, the Presidential Inaugural Committee [PIC] is encouraging families to develop a plan if they become separated. Families should have a predetermined meeting place if they become separated from one another.

The Red Cross will have 32 "Go Teams" - community outreach teams - to help lost children and people in distress on the Mall. The Go Teams will then connect lost children with local law enforcement partners.

If you are separated from your family member(s) or group, please find the nearest law enforcement officer or volunteer. Volunteers will be wearing yellow vests with orange stripes or red hats. You can also call the DC Helpline at 311, or if you're from out of town, 202-671-5000.

"As with any large crowd situation, a little common sense and forethought will help visitors to the National Mall avoid major headaches," PIC Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau said. "We're pleased to have the assistance of the Red Cross, which will be there to aid people during Tuesday's inaugural events."

Photos of Floats Preparing for Tomorrow's 56th Inaugural Parade

AVAILABLE NOW: Video Clip of Sec. of State Jesse White

Secretary of State Jesse White's comments on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are now available to view here and on our website at www.illinoischannel.org/Inauguration2009.htm.

AVAILABLE SOON: Video Clip of Sec. of State Jesse White

The Illinois Channel will soon have a video byte available of Sec. of State Jesse White commenting on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This video will be available on our website at www.illinoischannel.org.

Preparations Underway for Illinois State Society Inaugural Gala

Workers are busy finishing preparations for tonight's (Monday, January 19) Inaugural Gala hosted by the Illinois State Society in Washington, DC.

The Illinois Inaugural Gala is being held at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC.

The Illinois Channel will be there to provide you coverage of the event.

AVAILABLE SOON: Interview with Lt. Governor Pat Quinn

The Illinois Channel will soon be posting an interview with Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, conducted following Mayor Daley's Inaugural Reception at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, DC on Sunday, January 18.

In the interview, Lt. Governor Quinn talks about how he is ready to take the reigns of state government, as well as the three crises he says need addressed in our state: creating more jobs in the economy, fixing the state government's budget deficit, and addressing the crisis of public confidence in Illinois state government.

This interview will be available soon on our website.

Initial Talent Lineup Confirmed for "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial"

From the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) is pleased to announce the producers and initial talent lineup for WE ARE ONE: THE OBAMA INAUGURAL CELEBRATION AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL, the Opening Celebration for the 56th Presidential Inaugural, to be presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday, January 18 (7:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT). The event will be free and open to the public, kicking off the most open and accessible Inauguration in history.

The special will be executive produced by George Stevens, Jr. (The Kennedy Center Honors), and produced by Don Mischer (Olympic Ceremonies) who will also direct the special, and Michael Stevens (The American Film Institute Salutes) who is also writing the special, and will be a production of The Stevens Company in association with Don Mischer Productions.

Musical performers scheduled for the event include Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder. Among those reading historical passages will be Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington. The Rt. Reverend V. Gene Robinson will give the invocation. Rob Mathes will be the music director and arranger for the backing band, which will support all of the artists. Additional performers will be announced as they are confirmed.

"Our intention is to root the event in history, celebrating the moments when our nation has united to face great challenges and prevail," observed George Stevens, Jr. "We will combine historical readings by prominent actors with music from an array of the greatest stars of today."

"This is a great opportunity to capture an historic event in a very meaningful setting," noted Don Mischer. "We will have the statue of Abraham Lincoln looking down on our stage and a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people lining the mall -- a tableau any director would relish."

"We have found that the great artists are eager to take part and each one is working with us to find music that expresses the optimism and hope that people bring to the Obama inauguration," said Michael Stevens.

Televised to the nation, the Opening Celebration will be a declaration of common purpose and new beginnings. The Sunday afternoon performance will be grounded in history and brought to life with entertainment that relates to the themes that shaped Barack Obama and which will be the hallmarks of his administration.

HBO will televise the event on an open signal, working with all of its distributors to allow Americans across the country with access to cable, telcos or satellite television to join in the Opening Celebration for free.

The 56th Inauguration promises to be the most inclusive in history, and the Opening Celebration is one of a series of inaugural events that reflect that commitment. On Saturday, the President-elect, Vice President-elect and their families will journey to the nation's capital via train, holding events that are free and open to the public along the way. They will be joined by a group of everyday Americans they met along their road to the White House. On January 19th, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President-elect Obama will call on all Americans to make an ongoing commitment to serve their communities and their country. A new website, USAservice.org, makes it easy for Americans to organize service events or find existing events to participate in. To date, nearly 5,000 events have been organized across the country. That evening, Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, and their families will host a free "Kids' Inaugural" concert to honor military families, broadcast live on the Disney Channel and Radio Disney.

This spirit of openness will continue on Inauguration Day, when, for the first time in history, the entire length of the National Mall will be open to the public for the swearing in ceremony. Local D.C. students have also been given the chance to receive tickets in front of the White House for the Inaugural Parade for themselves and their family members based on the submission of essays answering the question, "How can I contribute to my neighborhood through community service?"

On the evening of Inauguration Day, the first ball that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will attend will be the first-ever Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. The ball will be broadcast live on ABC and over the Internet, bringing together neighborhoods across the country in the spirit of unity and celebration.

The sum of these public events is an Inauguration that allows more Americans than ever before to come together as one nation and one people, united in our resolve to tackle our greatest common challenges and move this country forward together.

For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit www.pic2009.org.

NEA & AFT Partner with the Presidential Inaugural Committee to Bring the Inauguration to the Classroom

From the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009

Washington, D.C. - The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC), in cooperation with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), is pleased to offer a series of instructional guides to help teachers across the country bring the 56th Presidential Inauguration to life in their classrooms. The guides are now available on the PIC website: www.pic2009.org/page/content/lessonplans.

"We are thrilled to partner with the AFT and NEA to make these lesson plans available to teachers across the country," said PIC Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau. "Inauguration Day is rich with tradition and speaks to both our common history and our shared future. We hope that these resources will help inspire students to learn more about this historic day."

"The American presidential inauguration is a transformational moment that brings together our collective past and present, and our hopes for the future," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. "It reminds us more clearly than mere words ever could that power in this country truly rests with the American people. These lesson plans are intended as tools to help teachers and their students live our rich history and build our brighter future. The AFT is proud to have been part of this important project and this historic moment."

"It is crucial that our students understand that we are not only living history and making history with this inauguration, but also carrying forward the historical contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his influence on our incoming 44th president," said Dennis Van Roekel. "These important lesson plans will help students understand President-elect Obama's message of a 'sense of unity and shared purpose' into the next four years and beyond."

The lesson plans, developed jointly by AFT and the NEA, are designed to teach students about the history of Inauguration Day, and include information about the 2009 Inaugural schedule of events and background about traditional Inaugural ceremonies. The guides also suggest ways to supplement the lessons with discussion topics, films, books and other educational websites.

The lesson plans are divided into three sections: "Learning History," which highlights the evolution of Inaugural events beginning with George Washington's Inauguration in 1789, "Making History," which lets students follow along with President-elect Obama's swearing in on January 20th, and "Living History," which encourages students to continue studying the American Government and the Presidency beyond Inauguration Day. The materials are geared toward students from elementary school to high school, and offer lesson modifications based on the students' ages.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee has committed to making President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden's Inauguration the most accessible and inclusive in history, and these lesson plans are just one more way that communities across the country can become involved in this historic event. The PIC is confident that the lesson plans developed by the AFT and NEA will help students of all ages feel part of this historic moment in our country.

For more information on the NEA and the AFT please visit www.nea.org and www.aft.org.

For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, please visit www.pic2009.org.

2009 Inaugural Luncheon Details Announced

From the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies

Washington, DC—The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies today announced the details for the 2009 Inaugural Luncheon, which will follow the swearing-in of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

The luncheon, hosted by the members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, has been a tradition for more than a century. Approximately 200 guests including the new President, Vice President, members of their families, the Supreme Court, Cabinet designees, and members of Congressional leadership will attend the event in Statuary Hall.The details of the luncheon have been designed to reflect the theme of the 2009 Inaugural ceremonies, "A New Birth of Freedom," which celebrates the bicentennial of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln.

The menu, created by Design Cuisine, a catering company based in Arlington, Virginia, draws on historic ties to the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Growing up in the frontier regions of Kentucky and Indiana, the sixteenth President favored simple foods including root vegetables and wild game. As his tastes matured, he became fond of stewed and scalloped oysters. For dessert or a snack, nothing pleased him more than a fresh apple or an apple cake.

The wines to be served during the luncheon were produced by some of the finest winemakers in California, the home state of Senator Dianne Feinstein, the Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. Each wine was selected to complement the flavors of the luncheon ingredients.

The 2009 Inaugural Luncheon Menu

First Course
Seafood Stew
Duckhorn Vineyards, 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Second Course
A Brace of American Birds (pheasant and duck), served with Sour Cherry Chutney and Molasses
Sweet Potatoes
Goldeneye, 2005 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Third Course
Apple Cinnamon Sponge Cake and Sweet Cream Glacé
Korbel Natural “Special Inaugural Cuvée,” California Champagne

The first course will be served on replicas of the china from the Lincoln Presidency, which was selected by Mary Todd Lincoln at the beginning of her husband's term in office. The china features the American bald eagle standing above the U.S. Coat of Arms, surrounded by a wide border of "solferino," a purple-red hue popular among the fashionable hosts of the day.

The floral arrangements, designed by JLB Floral of Alexandria, Virginia, will feature hydrangeas in shades of purple and blue, Hot Mojolica spray roses, bright Red Charlotte roses and light blue Delphinium in a footed brass compote. After the luncheon, the floral arrangements will be given to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The backdrop for the luncheon will be a painting, chosen for occasion, and borrowed from the New-York Historical Society. The painting, "View of the Yosemite Valley," by Thomas Hill, reflects the majestic landscape of the American West and the dawn of a new era. The subject of the painting, Yosemite Valley, represents an important but often overlooked event from Lincoln's presidency -- his signing of the 1864 Yosemite Grant, which set aside Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias as a public reserve.

During the Inaugural Luncheon it is traditional for the President and Vice President to be presented with gifts by the Congress on behalf of the American people. The President and Vice President will each be presented with a framed official photograph taken of their swearing-in ceremony by a Senate photographer, as well as flags flown over the U.S. Capitol during the inaugural ceremonies.

The President and Vice President will also receive one-of-a-kind engraved crystal bowls, created by the Lenox Company of Bristol, Pennsylvania. President Obama will receive a bowl depicting the White House on a crystal base inscribed with “Barack H. Obama, The Presidential Inauguration, January 20, 2009.” Vice President Biden will receive a bowl depicting the United States Capitol, on a crystal base inscribed with “Joseph R. Biden Jr. , The Vice Presidential Inauguration, January 20, 2009.” The bowls were designed by Timothy Carder and hand-cut by master glass-cutter Peter O’Rourke.

Each guest at the Inaugural Luncheon will receive a crystal vase etched with a depiction of the U.S. Capitol, designed by Paula Skene, an artist in Emeryville, California, and handcrafted by Evergreen Crystal of Montrose, Colorado.

The Smithsonian Chamber Players, who are artists in residence at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, will provide music for the Inaugural Luncheon. The ensemble, directed by cellist Kenneth Slowik, is renowned for its performances of period music on the musical instruments in the Smithsonian’s collection.

Members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies are Senator Dianne Feinstein, Chairman; Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee Bob Bennett; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; and House Minority Leader John Boehner.

For more information on the Inaugural Luncheon, including recipes for the luncheon menu, and images of the painting "View of the Yosemite Valley," the Lincoln Presidential china, the floral arrangements and the official gifts, visit http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/luncheon.

Presidential Inaugural Committee Officially Opens Memorabilia Store in Downtown Washington, D.C.

From the Presidential Inaugural Committee 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Official Inaugural collectibles will be available for purchase in a new Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) store at 625 E Street NW beginning Saturday, January 10th. Local residents and visitors in Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration will have the ability to buy official memorabilia only blocks away from the National Mall.

Commemorative merchandise, such as clothing, artwork, pins, and buttons, will be sold in the store, including items featuring Shepard Fairey's new illustration created especially for the Inauguration of Barack Obama. The collectibles are also available through the Presidential Inaugural Committee's online store at http://pic2009.inauguralcollectibles.com/.

The store will be open 7 days a week until January 21st. Beginning tomorrow, the store will open at 10am and close at 8pm. From January 17th to Wednesday, January 21st, the store will extend its hours from 8am to 10pm.