Ron Parker loves animals.  As cool as its been to see living elephants in circus acts over the years, its come to light that the big gentle beasts weren’t always in the best of conditions.  Travel would be rough and training could be extreme.  If you want to see elephants, go to a zoo.  Illinois is the first state to ban uses of elephants in circuses.

4) Corn Is The Official State Grain
Who doesn’t love corn?  Buttered, popped, sweet; corn is amazing!  The veggie on a cob is already the official state vegetable.  I solute you, corn, for your newest state title!

3) Cycling Is The Official State Exercise
This is one I can get behind.  This is the funnest way I can think of to get cardio and Chicago has really become the cyclist city.  Do your duty as an Illinois citizen and take a bike along the lake, in the bike lanes or through a suburban nature center.  And be thankful that the official state exercise is not lunges…

2) You Can Now Spread Ashes In State Parks
Where do you put those pesky ashes after your loved ones pass?  Finally, the state of Illinois is letting you spread them in one of our many beautiful national parks.  National parks can designate certain areas for this activity, so don’t think you’ll get ashes in your face when you least expect it.  Funny story: my producer brought his grandfather’s ashes to his favorite race track.  Sure enough, the wind picked it up and blew those ashes toward a group of kids watching the horses.  Don’t worry, they had no idea they were hit with grandpa.

1) Consumers Are Protected When Writing Online Reviews
Yes, yes yes!  I can finally be honest about all my consumer purchases and experiences!  Its amazing that businesses were able to attack people for negative reviews.  If my food is cold, if my online purchase doesn’t work, if I have a bad experience, I want to complain about it!