U.S. Capitol Christmas tree traveling through Illinois today

This year's U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is being hauled through the Midwest this week on its way to be displayed in Washington D.C. for the holidays.

The 76-foot tall Engelmann spruce began its journey from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Idaho in October. The caravan, which has made stops in Paducah in previous years, is taking a northerly route this year. 

It was in Mitchell, South Dakota and Albert Lea, Minnesota on Thursday. Today it's in Peoria, Illinois, and it will be in Richmond, Indiana on Saturday.

The tree will arrive at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland next Thursday in preparation for installation at the Capitol building. It'll be decorated with handmade ornaments created by Idaho residents.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a tradition in which one of America’s 154 national forests provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The first tree was placed in 1964, and the U.S. Forest Service began providing the tree in 1970.