Deontae Johnson sits on the stairs that lead to the riverfront outside of the Cairo Blues and Heritage Festival September 6, 2024 in Cairo, Illinois
Jackie Cox holds a commemorative wine glass, made by Congressman Mike Bost, a Republican from Murphysboro, for the Welcome Southern Illinois Reception Jan. 19, 2025 at the Cannon House in Washington, D.C.
One Lunameria speaks as a Trump supporter stands and watches near a line that formed near the Capital One Arena for Trump’s Make America Great Again Victory Rally Jan. 19, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
A protester holds a Palestinian flag in front of the We Fight Back protesters’ march Jan. 20, 2025 that went from the Meridian Hill Park down 16th Street to DuPont Circle Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Lizzy Waller swings with her parents Jonathan and Karamie Waller and her sisters Hannah Waller on April 13, 2024 at the playground in the square of Coden, Illinois. Jonathan Waller was training for the River to River Relay that would occur on the following weekend.
Rebecca Belltran scales a barrier to use a porta potty, after waiting in line for 4 hours at the Capital One arena Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Belltran said that she drove from Connecticut to attend the live viewing of the swearing-in ceremony at the arena.
Digital composite image of the different phases of the total solar eclipse April 8, 2024 in Carbondale, Illinois.
Alec Wollensak (left) sets up his telescope to view the total solar eclipse with his family (left to right) Willa, Poppy, Jude, and Sue Wollensak on April 8, 2024 at SIU in Carbondale Illinois. Alec Wollensak brought his camper from the Chicago area and camped over the weekend to view the eclipse.
Clarence Skurat (right) raises his fist for a photograph at the MAGA Trump Parade Nov. 2, 2024 at the Dillard’s parking lot in Marion, Illinois. Skurat said that securing the border, putting a stop to crime, and the economy were policy issues that were important to him this election. “I did vote for Trump. Always have and always will.”
An old tire is lifted into a truck bed to be taken from the Grantsburg Swamp Oct. 4, 2024 in Grantsburg, Illinois. This was one of three tires that was found at the swamp on Friday. Volunteers picked up a total of 349 pounds of trash from Grantsburg Swamp on Oct. 4 during the Trash Blast.
Chuck Newman (left) and Lovie Skinner (right) observe fish in a tank on display at John A. Logan College’s Hunting and Fishing Days Sept. 28, 2024 in Carterville, Illinois. Newman traveled from Evansville, Indiana and visited the event with Skinner, who is from Herrin, Illinois.
Visitors to the Lights Fantastic Parade watch the Lowe’s float as it passes Dec. 7, 2024 on the Strip in Carbondale, Illinois.
Connecticut native, Fred Basserman, sells trump-themed merchandise from his cart in the street to visitors who are waiting in line in hopes of attending the live viewing of the swearing-in ceremony Jan. 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Kristy Summers hoses off hot coals after the annual Iron Pour Nov. 9, 2024 at the Art Foundry in Carbondale, Illinois.
Nahida Islam views the annular eclipse with solar glasses in the Saluki Stadium in Carbondale Illinois October 14, 2023.
Neelima Bhatt (left), Rin Hasegawa (middle), and Mandeep Redhu (right) put colored chalk on each other at the Holi Celebration on March 25, 2024 outside the Morris Library at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois.