Illinois city unveils life-size Monopoly game board in tribute to local creator

MACOMB, Ill. (KHQA) — After six years of development, a life-size Monopoly board was finally revealed this week in an Illinois city.

Hundreds gathered on the square to celebrate the opening of "Macombopoly," a board game set up around Macomb Square. Individuals can scan a QR code to play the game on their phone. Participants can also answer trivia questions and possibly win coupons to local businesses.

The board features statues of the game pieces and the Macomb-born creator, Lizzie Magie.

The idea for "Macombopoly" came to fruition after Visit Forgottonia Director Jock Hedblade discovered Magie's legacy.

I knew that we had to figure out some way to exploit this incredible history, and really was unknown to people," said Hedblade. "And now, six years later we have Macombopoly here, a tribute to Lizzie Magie, and I will say Lizzie's popularity beyond what we do is growing on a daily basis."

The project cost a total of $100,000.

"It's holistic buy-in by the community, and it's one more reason to come to Macomb, Illinois," said Macomb Mayor Mike Inman.

The board is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the public to come and enjoy at the touch of their fingertips.