Illinois has an official state stone, thanks to suburban students

Dolostone Photo credit Getty Images

By Mai Martinez

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Illinois officially has a state stone, thanks to some school kids from the southwest suburbs. The winner?

Dolostone, a form of limestone. It forms the majority of Illinois bedrock, establishing a foundation for the state’s other natural terrain, state officials said. The name dolostone comes from its original discovery in the Dolomite Alps.

Students from Pleasantdale Middle School in Burr Ridge pushed for the recognition of a state stone after learning Illinois did not have one.

The group researched which stones best represent Illinois. Members organized a statewide vote. Then they wrote lawmakers to find support for dolostone, which received the most support.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday signed the resulting bill, surrounded by the students.

Illinois recognizes several other official symbols of the state, including the state bird (Northern Red Cardinal); state flower (the violet); state tree (the white oak); and state fish (the bluegill).