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Equity is our race, culture, ethnicity, and identity blog. The blog focuses on coverage important to Illinois and its improvement. Evidence of performance of public policies and their impact will be reported and analyzed. We encourage you to engage in commenting and discussing the coverage of equity and diversity:Maureen Foertsch McKinney and Rachel Otwell curate this blog that will provide follow-up to full-length stories, links to other reports of interest, statistics, and conversations with you about the issues and stories.

Newest Americans Want President Who Unites

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Brian Mackey

Published October 11, 2016 at 11:09 AM CDT

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Immigrants representing 30 countries took the oath of citizenship Friday at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

Carter Staley / NPR Illinois

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Immigrants representing 30 countries took the oath of citizenship Friday at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

Carter Staley / NPR Illinois

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Fifty-eight men and women became American citizens Friday at Springfield's Old State Capitol. Each was congratualted by U.S. District Judge Richard Mills, left, and guest speaker Alan Lowe, director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Carter Staley / NPR Illinois

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Immigrants representing 30 countries took the oath of citizenship Friday at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

Carter Staley / NPR Illinois

Last Friday, central Illinois held its final naturalization ceremony before this year’s election.

Fifty-eight men and women entered Springfield's Old State Capitol as citizens of 30 nations. An hour later, they left as citizens of one.

This week, we're participating in a national week of conversation along with other NPR member stations called A Nation Engaged.

We're asking these questions: “What does it mean to you to be an American? And what could the next president do to advance your vision?”

Brian Mackey covers state government for NPR Illinois. You can follow his reporting on Twitter and Facebook. A version of this story was first broadcast on Illinois Edition on October 10, 2016.