There are a few Illinoisans to look out for at the ceremony this year:
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Frances McDormand, up for Best Actress for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," was born in Chicago and then adopted by parents who raised her in Pittsburgh.
Richard Jenkins, Best Supporting Actor nominee for "The Shape of Water," was born in DeKalb and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. He's a huge Cubs fan and was filming "The Shape of Water" when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016.
Laurie Metcalf, up for Best Supporting Actress in "Lady Bird," was born in Carbondale and was an original member of Steppenwolf Ensemble Theatre in Chicago. Trivia note: Metcalf was also the voice of Andy's Mom in the "Toy Story" films.
Virgil Williams, born and raised in Chicago, is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for "Mudbound."
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Nominated for Best Song for "Stand Up For Something" for "Marshall" is Common and Diane Warren. Common who was born and raised in Chicago and previously won an Oscar for "Glory" in 2015. (hyperlink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GhY7qXGx-0) He and Andra Day will perform the song at the Oscars.
"Remember Me" from "Coco" is also nominated and will be performed by Miguel Rivera, Gael Garcia Bernal and Natalia Lefourcade. The song was written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, of "Frozen" fame.
Also up for Best Song is "This Is Me" from "The Greatest Showman," written by Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. They won for "Lala Land" in 2016. Keattle Settle will perform at the Oscars.
Also performing at the Oscars is Mary J Blige who will sing "Mighty River" from "Mudbound" and Sufjan Stevens who will sing "Mystery of Love" from "Call Me By Your Name."