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* Tribune last month…
You can thank Pleasantdale Middle School fifth graders for making sure Illinois had an official state rock. And you can also thank them for making sure coal was not chosen for said state rock.
Yes, coal was in the running, according to now sixth grader Matej Naunov.
“One of our main reasons as to why coal was dropped was because you get coal on Christmas when you’re not good,” he said matter-of-factly.
Pleasantdale teacher Jennifer Lauermann’s former students sat in the school’s music room recently, remembering their advocacy efforts to get a bill on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk designating a state rock, a goal they achieved as a group during the pandemic. The youths are now waiting for Pritzker’s signature to make dolostone as the official rock of the state of Illinois.
* Today…
— Governor JB Pritzker today joined legislators, students, and teachers at the Morton Arboretum to designate Dolostone as the official rock of the State of Illinois.
House Bill 4261 began as an initiative led by a group of elementary school students from Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge and Maplebrook Elementary School in Naperville. After the students discovered that Illinois did not have a state rock, they created a ballot and had students across the state vote for a winner. The chosen rock was Dolostone.
Dolostone, a form of limestone, forms the majority of Illinois’s bedrock, establishing a foundation for the state’s other natural terrain. Its name comes from its original discovery in the Dolomite Alps
Illinois recognizes several other official symbols of the state, including; state bird- the Northern Red Cardinal, state flower- the violet, state tree- the white oak, and state fish- the bluegill. More officially designated state flora and fauna can be found on the Illinois DNR website.
“Seeing young people use their voices and the democratic process to make change in our state is truly inspiring,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These young leaders have a bright future of organizing and civic engagement that I am excited to watch. They could not have picked a better rock to represent the strength and stability of Illinois.”
“Students developed and drove this legislation,” said State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Bloomingdale). “It was not only a fantastic learning experience for them, but an opportunity to show others of any age that they have power in Springfield. I encourage Illinoisans to learn more about Dolostone.”
“With today’s bill signing, we’re not only establishing an official state rock with a long history of economic and geological significance to Illinois, we’re building the foundation for a new generation of lifelong learners who are civically engaged and ready to contribute to their communities,” said State Representative Yang Rohr, (D-Naperville).
* And here it is…
* More from Geology.com…
Dolomite, also known as “dolostone” and “dolomite rock,” is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of the mineral dolomite, CaMg(CO3)2. Dolomite is found in sedimentary basins worldwide. It is thought to form by the postdepositional alteration of lime mud and limestone by magnesium-rich groundwater.
Dolomite and limestone are very similar rocks. They share the same color ranges of white-to-gray and white-to-light brown (although other colors such as red, green, and black are possible). They are approximately the same hardness, and they are both soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid. They are both crushed and cut for use as construction materials and used for their ability to neutralize acids.
Headline explained here.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 10:56 am
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Rock solid effort by these students. Good job.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:07 am
State rock should have a nick name. I suggest Phil
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:12 am
This seems like an unfair attack on Fluorspar.
Comment by Needs Deleted Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:12 am
So…it’s gravel?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:16 am
So much to mine from this news …
Limestone and dolomite are the most widely quarried rocks in Illinois, and crushed stone is the state’s most important rock product. Millions of tons of stone are crushed annually for use as construction aggregates, road surfacing material, agricultural limestone, and lime. High calcium limestones are also used as a scrubbing agent for pollution control in power plants and incinerators and as a major ingredient of cement, the binding agent used in concrete pavements and foundations.
https://isgs.illinois.edu/research/industrial-minerals/illinois-industrial-minerals
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:16 am
Rock on, kids. Maybe my rock knowledge isn’t great, but I have a sedimental spot for science students, whos were boulder than I could ever be for suggesting this. Glad to know these budding geologists were patient with legislators since the general assembly has its faults, especially since Republicans and Democrats are like tectonic plates and always causing friction.
Comment by Steve Rogers Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:18 am
It joins the pantheon of other IL designated items. Do we go for the trout or the huge catfish, nope, we like the humble blue gill. The humble violet that grows everywhere is our flower and now the humble dolostone, and not flashy quartz is our stone. I like it. Good job, next generation.
Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:29 am
Not to be confused with the state’s official pet rock … Pat Quinn.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:30 am
Saint Petersburg sandstone got stoned by the competition. It is used to make glass, material testing industry, fracking, and building materials.
Ottawa silica sand is an ASTM specified material because of its uniform shape, size, and chemical content.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:32 am
=== Dolomite is found in sedimentary basins worldwide ===
Dolemite, on the other hand, can only be found in the 4th Ward.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolemite
Comment by vern Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:34 am
This makes me want to watch some Rudy Ray Moore movies.
Comment by The Captain Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:35 am
Has anyone notified the estate of Rudy Ray Moore?
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:40 am
So, if gravel is the new state rock, does that mean my driveway will be a state park?
How do I receive funding from the state to maintain it?
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:41 am
(lots can happen in the six minutes when you’re tinkering with html)
Comment by MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:41 am
River rock is crushed that it wasn’t even considered.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:47 am
This is Illinois so the state’s new rock has a link to political corruption.
“The same day Sandoval’s offices were raided, FBI agents visited the Bartlett headquarters of Bluff City Materials, one of several companies tied to businessman Michael Vondra. Vondra and his businesses have been major campaign contributors to Sandoval and other politicians, state campaign finance records show.”
https://www.enr.com/articles/48602-ex-ill-state-senator-pleads-guilty-to-bribery-charge-as-probe-expands
Comment by Donnie Elgin Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:48 am
Does this mean our official state bluegrass band is “Loose Gravel?”
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 11:55 am
If Dolemite is our State Rock, can Richard Pryor be our State Comedian? Peoria and all.
Comment by Baloneymous Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 12:05 pm
When contacted about the outcome of the election, The Rock stated that he believed that the election in Illinois was rigged and he vowed to fight the results in Court.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 12:09 pm
Not to be confused with flourite, which has been our official State Mineral since 1965.
Comment by Cornerfield Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 12:16 pm
I feel like this is a slap in the face to the Tully Monster
Comment by Soccermom Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 12:19 pm
Oh, now I get it. The Tully Monster was found in Mazon Creek, so this is JB’s way of signaling to Mazonne “Maze” Jackson that he is supporting Fritz Kaegi against Kari Steele. It all makes sense.
Comment by Soccermom Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 12:21 pm
Gneiss job, everyone!
Comment by Northsider Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 12:27 pm
Bender from Futurama would be proud.
Comment by Pink Spruce Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 12:33 pm
Soccermom - the Tully monster is already the State fossil.
Comment by Huh? Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 1:20 pm
Not the rock in Qanon’s head?
Comment by Drake mallard Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 1:27 pm
Anon @ 2:16 was me
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 2:17 pm
Huh? you’re telling ME that the Tully Monster is already the state fossil? Next you’ll be telling me that 1818 saw our founding and our progress is unbounding. (I always remember it as astounding, which would probably be a lyrical improvement. But then again, I also remember it as “On the record of thy years, Abraham Lincoln’s name appears, Grant and Moses and our tears..”)
Comment by Soccermom Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 3:19 pm
I remember when Helen Satterthwaite presented the state fossil bill on the House floor.
Comment by fdr democrat Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 3:32 pm
As a geology major I endorse this designation. While the St. Peter Sandstone is mined here in Illinois, and the unit is a major aquifer below us, limestone and dolomite are the real players here.
I wrote a paper about dolomitization for my masters degree. You may have noticed that geology.com states that “it is thought to form…” - the process doesn’t seem to occur anymore. Lots of limestone continues to form in reef complexes etc, but no dolomite is found. Another of nature’s mysteries.
Comment by Lefty Lefty Monday, Jun 6, 22 @ 4:56 pm