although historically affiliated with the state government of illinois and the agencies that developed into the illinois historic preservation agency, the ishs was emancipated in 1997 and fully launched into the private sector. as of 2014, the ishs publishes the quarterly "journal of the illinois state historical society", a scholarly publication, and the bimonthly "illinois heritage", a newsletter with short historical features. the society holds meetings and symposia, and offers small prizes and scholarships for continued work and studies in illinois history, with growing emphasis on the social history of the 20th century in illinois.