SE Illinois News

State Representative Patrick Windhorst has announced the launch of the 2025 “Southern Illinois is Beautiful” photo contest. Now in its third year, the contest has previously attracted hundreds of entries and significant community participation from Southern Illinois residents.

Windhorst explained that this year’s contest will again feature two categories: one for students from Kindergarten through age 21, and another for adults aged 21 and older. "As always, this year’s ‘Southern Illinois is Beautiful’ Photo Contest will have two categories. Students aged Kindergarten through age 21 will make submissions in the ‘Student’ category, and adults 21 and older will compete in the ‘Adult’ category," Windhorst said. "Southern Illinois is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, and we are blessed with many talented students and adults that I believe will make this year’s ‘Southern Illinois is Beautiful’ photo contest exciting and fun to watch," he added. "We’re asking folks to head out into the beauty of this region and submit their best Southern Illinois photograph. We have a lot to be proud of right here in beautiful Southern Illinois!"

Participants are asked to submit their photographs by email before midnight on Friday, November 7, 2025. Each submission must include the photographer's name and where in Southern Illinois the image was taken.

Three finalists from each category will be selected. Voting on these finalists will take place on State Representative Patrick Windhorst’s official Facebook page starting Tuesday, November 11th, with voting closing at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 25th. The photos that receive the most likes or loves on Facebook will be declared winners.

Winners will be announced at noon on Monday, December 1, 2025. Their photos will be displayed at Windhorst’s district offices in Harrisburg and West Frankfort as well as his Springfield Capitol office. Winners will also receive an official certificate from the Illinois House of Representatives.

All submitted photographs must be original works by their respective photographers.

Additional information about the contest can be found on Rep. Windhorst’s website at RepWindhorst.com or his official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StateRepWindhorst.

Windhorst has represented Illinois' 117th House District since being elected as a Republican in 2023, succeeding Natalie Phelps Finnie.