Designating Illinois Site As National Park Advances In Congress

The U.S. House has passed a measure looking to study Illinois' New Philadelphia Town Site as a possible national park.

U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock of Peoria sponsored the measure. The site in western Illinois was the first town planned and founded by an African-American. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a National Historic Landmark and is included on the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

The legislation next goes to the U.S. Senate.

The Quincy Herald-Whig reports the legislation orders the study to find out the area's national significance, among other issues.

New Philadelphia is east of the town of Barry in Pike County.