Randy DeBaillie walks toward solar panels at his farm in Orion, Illinois on February 3, 2019. Across the flatlands of Illinois, a new crop is rising among the traditional waves of grain. Hundreds have applied to host acres of solar panels on their property, a move encouraged by a state requiring that renewable resources provide 25 percent of Illinois power by 2025.
Greenville High School's Nate Kubec competes in the long jump during 17th Annual Rocket Invite at Reeths-Puffer Rocket Stadium in Muskegon, Mich. on April 14, 2017.
Neil Sauter rests while taking off his stilts on his car after working at Muskegon Bike Time, a motorcycle festival in Muskegon, Mich. on July 12, 2017. Sauter said he has been in the business for past ten years.
Crews put the last structural beam into place at the construction site at the 10-story Mercy Health medical center in Muskegon, Mich. on Oct. 26, 2017. The $271 million dollar project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2019. The center will have an estimated 267 beds.
A crucifier carries a processional cross during the entrance procession of a mass at St. Adalbert Catholic Church in Chicago on May 19, 2019. Founded by Polish immigrants in 1874, the church closed after its last mass in July despite three years of effort by parishioners to save the Pilsen's landmark.
Lisa Wardell, president and chief executive of Adtalem Global Education, at her company's new headquarters in Chicago on February 12, 2019. It’s the largest public U.S. company with an African American female CEO.
Bus driver Lorrie Lackland checks in with a Chicago Transit Authority agent before driving the 124 bus in Chicago, Illinois on April 25, 2019. Lackland has driven buses in Chicago for 14 years.
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel drinks tea during an interview with the Washington Post's Lori Aratani in his office at City Hall in Chicago on April 24, 2019.
Daisy Feidt watches her daughter Ana Tow, 4, as she gets her hair braided by Shavonne Patterson at Styles 4 Kidz in Oak Park on May 25, 2019. Styles 4 Kidz provides hair care education and styling services for African American kids in transracial adoptive families and foster care.
Scott Whitehair, dressed as Jesus Christ, gives out free hugs to counter-protest a Christian hate group during Chicago's 50th Pride Parade on June 30, 2019. "I showed up because it's a chance to make people laugh and smile when they walk by instead of hearing these terrible stuff," Whitehair said.
Via Crucis passes the Cook County Jail in Chicago on April 19, 2019.
1,414 participate in the Guinness World Record attempt for simultaneously making sand angels at Stearns Park Beach on June 10, 2017 in Ludington, Mich. Ludington officially broke the record with 1,387 people, 27 people were disqualified for various reasons. The previous record was held by Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom, with 352 people simultaneously making sand angels on June 6, 2015.
Tanya Lozano showcases her choreography at the Healthy Hood fitness studio in Chicago on August 9, 2019. Lozano and her niece Daysha Del Valle work together to run the studio out of her mother, activist Emma Lozano's church.
Khaled Assaf and his wife Mariam Rastanawi with their daughter and grandchildren at home in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 26, 2019. The couple arrived in the United States as Syrian refugees after years of waiting. They are two of the lucky few, as the United States has all but stopped allowing Syrian refugees into the country.
Intisar Bakour, 8, reaches for her favorite doll in her room in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 26, 2019. Bakour said she felt nervous meeting with her grandparents at the airport for the first time since she was four, and she didn't recognize them at first. "And then my mom told me that was her mom and dad, and then I knew they are my real grandparents."
Joshua Salyers speaks with Defense Attorney Fred Lesica during a trial for murder in front of Judge Timothy Hicks at the Muskegon County Courthouse in Muskegon on Sept. 19, 2017. Salyers was later found guilty of first-degree murder in the brutal death of his girlfriend, rejecting his claim he was trying to stop her from committing suicide by slashing her own throat.
Sandy Boyd, center, shares ideas with other haunted business owners about creating a support network to help promote their businesses during the Midwest Haunters Convention at Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Ill. Sunday June 9, 2019. The country’s second-largest haunted house trade show drew a crowd of 6,000 people.
Festival-goers rest inside the Sherwood Forest during the second day of Electric Forest on June 23, 2017 in Rothbury, Mich. The four-day and two weekend-long music festival drew an estimated 40,000 attendance for the first weekend.
A firefighter monitors a hose as crews from multiple departments battle a large fire that broke out over night at Muskegon Casting Corporation at 2325 S. Sheridan Dr. in Muskegon, Mich. on March 15, 2017. Muskegon Public Safety Director Jeffrey Lewis said an estimated 40 employees evacuated safely from the fire, which is believed to be caused by an equipment malfunction that created a spark to combustibles in the foundry, which is full of oils and metallurgic dust.
Ten-month-old Piper Nelson crawls across the mat during a baby crawl contest at Gerber National Baby Food Festival in downtown Fremont, Mich. on Saturday, July 22, 2017. Nelson finished her heat in first place.
The Sunshine Singers rehearses at Columbia Senior Center on June 6, 2016, the day before their show at Boone Landing, a retirement home in Columbia, Mo. The Sunshine Singers is a group of senior citizens, made up of several singers and a pianist. Women sing the soprano and alto roles, while men cover the lower ranges.
Lucas He, 8, explores a 19th-century-style mountain man camp during Columbia's 39th annual Heritage Festival and Craft Show at Nifong Park on Sept. 17, 2016. A dozen artisans and tradesmen dressed in 19th-century attire demonstrated their trades and sold their wares. Xiao Ling Guo, the boy’s mother, said, “We are newcomers, so I think it’s really important for us to understand the depth of local culture.”
Norman Schneider, 12, waits to be announced before his first official Youth MMA fight in a caged octagon during the U.S. Open Youth National Championship at the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, Missouri. Unlike adult MMA competitors, children competing in the tournament are not allowed to strike the opponent’s head or try for a knockout.
Mona Shores D'Anthony Davis is blocked by Reeths-Puffer defense during the first quarter of a game between Mona Shores and Reeths-Puffer at Mona Shores High School in Norton Shores, Mich. on September 15, 2017.
Luke Miener spends his Thursday afternoon duck hunting at Diana Bend Conservation Area near Columbia, Mo. on Nov. 15, 2018. An avid hunter of 12 years, Miener said it was his first time trying out the spot. He finished the day empty-handed.
The rain falls onto the Elm Street side wall of Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia, March 8, 2016.
Muskegon Clippers Peter Zimmermann (20) rests in the dugout after an ankle injury on the right foot during a game against Grand River Loggers at Marsh Field in Muskegon on July 6, 2017. Zimmermann said he was disappointed especially because his family traveled a long way from Missouri to watch the game. Loggers defeated Clippers 6-2.
Sarah Squirm fist-bumps an audience member during Helltrap Nightmare at the Hideout in Chicago on August 31, 2019.
A man and a woman look at their cell phones near a coffee shop at French Quarter, the oldest section of New Orleans on March 28, 2016.
