Miss Illinois crowned in Marion

A Chicago contestant was crowned as this year's Miss Illinois Saturday night at the Marion Civic Center.

Miss Windy City, Monica Nia Jones, won the title and will represent the state in the Miss America Scholarship competition in December.

The runner-up was Miss River Valley, McKenna Vereeke, and second runner-up was Miss Southern Illinois and SIU graduate Breana Bagley.

Earlier in the weekend, the title of Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen went to Mia Fritsh-Anderson.

The event ended the reign of 2021 Miss Illinois Isabelle Hanson, who continues in her role as a news reporter for KFVS-12 in Cape Girardeau.