Illinois - The Prairie State

About Illinois

Illinois, officially the State of Illinois, is located in the Midwest with over 12.8 million residents, making it the sixth most populous state. Chicago, the nation's third-largest city with 2.7 million people (9.6 million metro), dominates the state economically and culturally, while Springfield serves as the state capital. Illinois's nickname "Land of Lincoln" honors Abraham Lincoln, who lived, practiced law, and launched his political career in Illinois before becoming America's 16th President.

Illinois features flat to gently rolling prairies (earning nickname "Prairie State") drained by the Mississippi, Illinois, and Ohio Rivers. Lake Michigan provides 63 miles of coastline along Chicago's eastern edge, crucial for transportation, recreation, and the city's development. Illinois's economy is highly diversified—finance, manufacturing, agriculture (leading corn and soybean producer), transportation/logistics, healthcare, and technology sectors create one of America's largest state economies.

Chicago: Third Largest City

Chicago is America's third-largest city and the Midwest's economic, cultural, and transportation hub. Founded in 1833 at the strategic confluence of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watershed, Chicago grew explosively as a railroad center, Great Lakes port, manufacturing powerhouse, and financial capital. The 1871 Great Chicago Fire destroyed much of the city but led to innovative rebuilding, including pioneering skyscraper construction that made Chicago the birthplace of the modern skyscraper.

Chicago's skyline is iconic—Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower, 1,450 feet, tallest in Western Hemisphere 1973-1998), John Hancock Center, and dozens of architectural masterpieces create one of the world's most impressive urban landscapes. The Chicago School of Architecture pioneered steel-frame construction enabling tall buildings. Architects including Louis Sullivan, Daniel Burnham, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe worked in Chicago, making it an architecture enthusiast's paradise with tours showcasing innovative buildings spanning 150 years.

Chicago is a global city with world-class museums (Art Institute, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium), professional sports (Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks), universities (University of Chicago, Northwestern), theaters, and music venues. Chicago blues, house music, and jazz thrived here. Deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and diverse ethnic cuisines reflect immigrant communities including large Polish, Mexican, Irish, and African American populations. Lake Michigan provides beaches, Navy Pier, and Millennium Park with Cloud Gate ("The Bean") sculpture. Chicago combines big city energy with Midwestern friendliness.

Abraham Lincoln & Political Legacy

Abraham Lincoln lived in Illinois from age 21 until becoming President. He settled in New Salem, studied law, moved to Springfield in 1837, married Mary Todd, practiced law, served in the state legislature and U.S. Congress, and delivered his famous "House Divided" speech launching his Senate campaign. Though losing that race to Stephen Douglas, Lincoln gained national prominence through their debates, leading to his 1860 Republican presidential nomination and election.

Lincoln's Springfield sites are preserved: his home, law office, Old State Capitol where he delivered the House Divided speech, and Lincoln's Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery where he's buried. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield uses exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia to tell Lincoln's story and the Civil War. New Salem State Historic Site recreates the 1830s village where young Lincoln lived, worked, and educated himself.

Illinois's political legacy extends beyond Lincoln. Chicago's political machine, particularly under Mayor Richard J. Daley (1955-1976), exemplified big-city Democratic politics with patronage, ward bosses, and powerful party organization. Barack Obama launched his political career in Illinois as State Senator, U.S. Senator, and then 44th President. Illinois has produced numerous senators, representatives, and political figures, though political corruption scandals have also marked state history—four Illinois governors went to prison including Rod Blagojevich for attempting to sell Obama's Senate seat.

Route 66 & American Road Culture

Route 66, America's most famous highway, began in Chicago at Grant Park and ran 2,448 miles to Santa Monica, California. Commissioned in 1926, Route 66 became the "Mother Road" symbolizing freedom, westward migration, and American road culture. John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath" called it "the road of flight" for Dust Bowl migrants heading to California. Bobby Troup's song "(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66" immortalized the highway in popular culture.

Illinois has more drivable stretches of historic Route 66 than any other state—over 400 miles including the original starting point in Chicago. Preserved Route 66 attractions include classic diners, motels with neon signs, vintage gas stations, and roadside oddities. Towns like Pontiac, Springfield, and Litchfield celebrate Route 66 heritage with museums, festivals, and preservation efforts. The Gemini Giant (30-foot fiberglass spaceman) in Wilmington and other quirky roadside attractions exemplify Route 66's playful Americana.

Route 66 was decommissioned in 1985 as interstates replaced it, but nostalgia drives tourism. The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway allows travelers to experience historic segments, architecture, and small-town America. Route 66 represents a bygone era of road trips before interstates homogenized highway travel, when independent businesses lined routes, and the journey itself was the destination—an American mythology of freedom and discovery that resonates today.

Agriculture & Manufacturing

Despite Chicago's dominance, Illinois is a major agricultural state, typically ranking first or second nationally in corn and soybean production. The state's rich prairie soils and favorable climate support intensive farming. Illinois produces over 2 billion bushels of corn and 650 million bushels of soybeans annually, feeding livestock, producing ethanol, and supplying food ingredients and exports. Hog and cattle farming are significant. The Illinois River and Mississippi River provide transportation for agricultural products to Gulf ports.

Manufacturing has historically driven Illinois's economy. Caterpillar (construction equipment) headquarters in Peoria, John Deere (agricultural machinery) in Moline, and Boeing's defense division in Chicago represent major manufacturers. Illinois produces machinery, food products, chemicals, fabricated metals, and transportation equipment. However, manufacturing employment declined from deindustrialization, outsourcing, and automation. Rust Belt challenges affect cities outside Chicago including Rockford, Peoria, and Decatur, struggling with job losses and population decline.

Illinois's economy increasingly centers on services—finance (Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade, Federal Reserve Bank), professional services, healthcare, education, and technology. Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is one of the world's busiest, serving as a major hub. The state works to diversify beyond traditional industries while addressing fiscal challenges including pension obligations, population loss (especially to lower-tax states), and regional disparities between prosperous Chicago suburbs and struggling downstate communities.

Cultural Contributions

Illinois's cultural impact is immense, particularly through Chicago. Chicago blues emerged when African Americans migrated from the South, bringing acoustic blues traditions that electrified in Chicago clubs. Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon created electric Chicago blues influencing rock and roll worldwide. Chess Records recorded blues legends. Chicago house music developed in 1980s clubs, pioneering electronic dance music. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is among world's finest. Second City comedy troupe launched countless Saturday Night Live cast members and comedians.

Illinois has been home to numerous literary giants: Carl Sandburg (Chicago poet), Ernest Hemingway (Oak Park native), Ray Bradbury (Waukegan), Saul Bellow (Chicago novelist), Gwendolyn Brooks (first African American to win Pulitzer Prize for poetry). The Chicago literary scene remains vibrant with independent bookstores, readings, and writing communities. Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie School architecture, centered in Oak Park, revolutionized residential design with horizontal lines, open floor plans, and integration with landscape.

Illinois cuisine is distinctive: Chicago deep dish pizza (thick crust with layers of cheese, toppings, and chunky tomato sauce baked in a pan), Chicago-style hot dogs (never ketchup!—mustard, onions, relish, tomatoes, pickles, peppers, celery salt on poppy seed bun), Italian beef sandwiches (thin-sliced beef on French roll dipped in au jus), Garrett Popcorn (caramel and cheese mix), and countless ethnic cuisines from immigrant communities. Illinois State Fair in Springfield showcases agricultural heritage with livestock competitions, carnival, concerts, and fried fair food.

Major Cities

Counties

Illinois has 102 counties. Major counties include:

Interesting Facts

Neighboring States

Illinois also borders Lake Michigan to the northeast.