SPRINGFIELD - Despite Illinois' recent political shortcomings, seven downstate communities will celebrate the state's political history by re-enacting debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas.

In 1858, Illinois was the host of a series of fierce debates between two congressional candidates armed with conviction and passion for making progress on behalf of the state.

In the coming months, actors will commemorate Lincoln and Douglas' eloquent speeches by re-enacting them as part of the Reunion Tour 2008.

Stops in Central Illinois will include Bement and Charleston.

"It's important to understand that this is a celebration of the essence of American democracy," said Ed Finch, chairman of the Lincoln Douglas debate community. "This is about a fundamental right of our society, the freedom of speech."

Reporters from all over the state traveled around Illinois covering the debates, which would earn Lincoln a reputation he would build on during his presidential campaign two years after falling to Douglas in the senatorial race.

Now, 150 years later, Illinois' leaders are at odds over an out-of-balance budget and the state speaker's staff is passing out memos outlining reasons for impeaching the governor. A swindling fundraiser with ties to the governor and a presidential candidate from Illinois is behind bars, as is a former governor.

Jan Grimes, director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency under Gov. Rod Blagojevich says Lincoln would have forged relationships in an effort to iron out the existing wrinkles in Illinois politics.

"Abraham Lincoln was a practical man, as well as a man of great principles and convictions," Grimes said. "His approach was one of bringing rivals to the table and he certainly leaves us a legacy in that regard."

Finch agrees, stating that Lincoln's eye-opening words brought people on opposite sides of contentious issues together. However, Lincoln was still a politician and voted for measures which made him popular in his district.

"Lincoln was a compromiser, he was always looking for middle ground," Finch said.

When asked if the state has made political progress since Lincoln's days in office, Finch said, "No, because we're human."

DEBATES

"Reunion Tour 200" will be part of a weekend celebration in each community:

-Bement: July 26

-Ottawa: Aug. 22-23

-Freeport: Aug. 29-Sept. 1

-Jonesboro: Sept. 12-14

-Charleston: Sept. 20-21

-Galesburg: Oct. 3-5

-Quincy: Oct. 11-13

-Alton: Oct. 17-19

Kartikay Mehrotra can be reached at kartikay.mehrotra@lee.net or 789-0865.