[Non-Sequitur]

As opposed to Illinois, which banned blacks.

That would come as a heck of a surprise to the thousands of blacks who lived there. According to the 1860 census, Illinois' free black population of 7628 was larger than the free black population of all but two of the original 7 rebelling states. In fact, Illinois had more free blacks than Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas combined.

[silentreignofheroes]

And you have nothing to say of the man this article is about..?

[antinomian]

As opposed to Illinois, which banned blacks. That would come as a heck of a surprise to the thousands of blacks who lived there. According to the 1860 census, Illinois' free black population of 7628 was larger than the free black population of all but two of the original 7 rebelling states. In fact, Illinois had more free blacks than Florida, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas combined.

Illinois banned free blacks from moving into the state. Free blacks who were already there were severely restricted.