The rare double-brood emergence of cicadas that Illinois experienced earlier this summer inspired DNR to call for cicada art submissions.
The statewide art contest launched in May resulted in nearly 350 entries, which were judged by DNR staff, art experts from the Illinois State Museum, and educators from the museum.
“The response to this contest far exceeded our expectations for how much interest there would be. I think the double cicada emergence really captured a lot of people’s imaginations,” DNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said.
Billions of cicadas motivated hundreds of Illinois artists
SUBSCRIBER CONTENT
Read this article now.
Create a free Outdoor News account.
Create a free account below to get instant access to this article, thousands of Outdoor News stories, and our digital editions. Your 1-month trial starts the moment you sign up.
No credit card required
No credit card required
Subscriber? Login Here.
Share on Social
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Hand-Picked For You
Way less land for hunting spurs action from Pennsylvania Game Commission
Deborah Weisberg
September 18, 2026
Pennsylvania’s hunting license sales down so far this year
Tom Venesky
September 17, 2026
Origin of road-killed armadillo in southwest Ohio a mystery
Staff Report
September 17, 2026
Sportfishing group sounds alarm on tariffs
Jeff Frischkorn
September 18, 2026
South Dakota Fishing Report – September 16, 2026 – video
Site Staff
September 16, 2026
Bowhunt gets started in Ohio with additional opportunity in CWD surveillance area
Staff Report
September 17, 2026
Related Articles

Way less land for hunting spurs action from Pennsylvania Game Commission
Deborah Weisberg
September 18, 2026
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has overhauled its Hunter Access Program this year in an effort to boost declining landowner participation

Where do big bucks go when they vanish?
Mark Morrison
September 18, 2026
Over the course of our three-months-plus bowhunting season, seeing just one wall-hanger buck can be cause for celebration. Trophy proportioned

WI Daily Update: Tips for catching cohos on river mouths of Superior
Outdoor News
September 18, 2026
This is a great time of year to chase coho salmon on the river mouths on Lake Superior. Tim Lesmeister