Discover Hidden Gems & Forgotten Stories in "Secret Illinois"

ST. LOUIS - July 30, 2026 - PRLog -- Reedy Press is pleased to announce the release of our newest guidebook, Secret Illinois: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, by Jessica Mlinaric.

Illinois hides strange and surprising tales, from its skyscrapers lining Lake Michigan to iconic highways stretching across the prairie to the shores of its mighty rivers. You may know it as the Land of Lincoln, but did you know the late president was almost a victim of body snatching?

You've heard of getting your kicks on Route 66, but have you visited the world's largest collection of muffler men? Discover the state's incredible stories from a pirate hideout to the first incorporated Black town in the nation.

Secret Illinois takes you on an unexpected trip through the state's little-known adventures, like kayaking a cypress swamp and meeting a fire-breathing dragon. Do you know how a Viking ship ended up in a Chicago suburb or why one high school is home to an Egyptian mummy? Find out where you can stand on a dam over the Mississippi River, watch an opera performed by puppets, and play the world's largest game of Monopoly.

Join local author Jessica Mlinaric on an offbeat road trip through the Prairie State's best-kept secrets. Secret Illinois is your invitation to uncover hidden history, unbelievable detours, and unique landmarks across the state. Venture off the beaten path, and you'll never look at Illinois the same way again.

Secret Illinois: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure is available wherever books are sold.

Please contact Marla Stoker Ballenger at marla@marqueemediastl.com to arrange an interview or appearance.

Book Details: Secret Illinois: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure by Jessica Mlinaric, ISBN: 9781681066806, softcover, 6 x 9, 192 pages, $ 27.00

About the Author

Jessica Mlinaric is the author of Secret Chicago and Chicago Scavenger. Her writing and photography covering travel and culture have appeared in Fodor's, Condé Nast Traveler, GQ, Chicago magazine, and more. Jessica founded urbnexplorer.com in 2010. When she's not writing, you can find her at a concert, museum, or neighborhood tavern. Jessica lives in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood with her husband and cat.