Underground Railroad was active in Central Illinois

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A state task force is making recommendations to enhance educational and historic remembrance of the Underground Railroad in Illinois during the 1800s.

The Underground Railroad was a system of activists and safe houses used by slaves who were escaping from the south heading for sanctuary cities and Canada. The task force estimates 4,500 to possibly more than 7,000 freedom seekers made their way through Illinois.

The task force has sent its recommendations, including naming some 200 possible sites, to the Illinois General Assembly for possible funding. The money will allow for more study as well as establishing new educational and tourism opportunities. In addition to locating sites researching individual stories from the time period is also part of the work moving forward.

It’s believed locations in Quincy, Tazewell County and Jacksonville all assisted in helping freedom seekers.

“Right here in Springfield they recently recognized the location of the race riots. Two of the individuals were members of the Underground Railroad,” stated Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman.