Level 4: J.D. Paige

Historical marker location:

103 N Ottawa Street, Joliet, Illinois

( Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Ottawa Street (U.S. 6) and West Van Buren Street.)

Illinois was the first state in the country to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery. The amendment was ratified by Illinois on February 1, 1865, before it was ratified by any other state.