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Illinois
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Illinois: first flag Illinois state seal The cardinal is the state bird of Illinois. The purple violet is the state flower of Illinois. Illinois state map Illinois cornfield Illinois
Illinois: The history and demographics of the Prairie State
Chicago Illinois
For Students
Chicago
Illinois summary
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Illinois: Facts & Stats

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News •

Indiana takes a first -- and long -- shot at acquiring parts of Illinois • Apr. 18, 2025, 4:08 PM ET (AP)
As dementia rates increase, experts warn hospital emergency rooms are underprepared • Apr. 15, 2025, 9:25 AM ET (AP)
Injury-prone Rockies DH Kris Bryant heads to IL for 9th time since joining the team in 2022 • Apr. 14, 2025, 10:20 PM ET (AP)
Correction: Europe-Military story • Apr. 9, 2025, 6:15 PM ET (AP)
The trial of an ex-deputy who shot an unarmed Black woman in her home is moved to another city • Apr. 8, 2025, 5:53 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Prairie State
Capital Springfield
Population1 (2020) 12,812,508; (2024 est.) 12,710,158
Governor J.B. Pritzker (Democrat)
Date Of Admission December 3, 1818
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (Democrat) • Tammy Duckworth (Democrat)
State Nickname Prairie State • Land of Lincoln
State Motto "State Sovereignty, National Union"
State Bird northern cardinal
State Flower2 violet
State Song “Illinois”
Seats In U.S. House Of Representatives 18 (of 435)
Time Zone Central (GMT − 6 hours)
Total Area (Sq Km) 149,996
Total Area (Sq Mi) 57,914
1Excluding military abroad.2Species not designated.

Photos and Videos

Illinois: first flag
Illinois state seal
The cardinal is the state bird of Illinois.
The purple violet is the state flower of Illinois.
Illinois state map
Illinois cornfield
Illinois
Chicago
Illinois
United States: The Midwest
Illinois: The history and demographics of the Prairie State
Tour a Deere & Company assembly line to see how John Deere combines are manufactured in East Moline, Illinois
Examine Abraham Lincoln's career in Springfield as a lawyer, politician, and woman's suffrage advocate
See how Lincoln's state was home to Camp Douglas and both Confederate and Union soldiers fighting major battles
See All Videos and Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
president of United States
Abraham Lincoln portrait
Abraham Lincoln
president of United States
J.B. Pritzker
J.B. Pritzker
American politician
Adlai E. Stevenson
Adlai E. Stevenson
American statesman
John Peter Altgeld
John Peter Altgeld
governor of Illinois, United States
Carol Moseley Braun
Carol Moseley Braun
United States senator
Robert Michel
American politician
Juliette Augusta Magill Kinzie
American pioneer and author
Lowden, Frank Orren
Frank Orren Lowden
American politician
Oglesby, Richard James
Richard James Oglesby
United States senator and governor of Illinois
“Father of Chicago”
Jean-Baptist-Point Du Sable
American pioneer
Alzina Parsons Stevens
American labor leader
Chase, Philander
Philander Chase
American clergyman
John J. Hopfield
John J. Hopfield
American physicist

Related Places

United States
United States
Chicago skyline
Chicago
Illinois, United States
Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Springfield, Illinois
Springfield
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Bradley University
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Alice Millar Chapel and Religious Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
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confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers
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Brandon Road Lock, Joliet, Illinois
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Bayview Bridge
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East Saint Louis, Illinois
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Nauvoo
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Decatur
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elevated train line in Chicago's Loop
the Loop
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Steeple Building, Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Illinois, U.S.
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historical site, Illinois, United States

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