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Illinois: Quick Facts

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News •

Illinois hemp ban delayed — but only for some businesses • Nov. 10, 2026, 8:03 PM ET (Chicago Sun-Times)
Dana Holgorsen fired as Nebraska's offensive coordinator after losing streak reaches 4 games • Nov. 7, 2026, 2:17 PM ET (AP)
Truck stolen by escaped Tennessee inmate is found abandoned in Illinois, authorities say • Oct. 27, 2026, 5:02 PM ET (AP)
Illinois man charged with mailing white powder to members of Congress • Oct. 26, 2026, 7:21 PM ET (AP)
Community leaders say foiled Illinois mass shooting was result of surge in anti-Hindu hate online • Oct. 16, 2026, 2:36 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Prairie State
Capital Springfield
Population1 (2020) 12,812,508; (2025 est.) 12,719,141
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 17 (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
The Illinois state seal features a bald eagle perched on a rock in a prairie landscape with the sun rising on the horizon. The eagle holds a shield with stars and stripes and a banner in its beak reading state sovereignty, national union. The rock is inscribed with the years 1818 and 1868, and the outer ring reads Seal of the State of Illinois, Aug. 26th 1818.
The cardinal is the state bird of Illinois.
The purple violet is the state flower of Illinois.
Political map of Illinois showing state and county boundaries, major cities, and county seats. The map highlights Illinois's borders with Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana, and includes a locator inset showing Illinois's position within the United States. Major cities such as Chicago, Springfield (the state capital), Peoria, Rockford, and East St. Louis are labeled.
Wide view of Central Illinois farmland with rows of cornfields stretching into the distance, scattered trees, and a few farm buildings on the horizon under a clear blue sky.
Map of the United States highlighting Illinois in orange, with its capital Springfield marked by a black dot. Surrounding states and major locations such as Washington, D.C., Mexico, and Canada are also labeled for reference.
Chicago skyline with tall modern skyscrapers seen from Lake Michigan, with boats and water in the foreground.
Map of Illinois highlighting physical features such as rivers, lakes, and Shawnee National Forest in the south. Major rivers including the Illinois, Kaskaskia, and Rock are shown, along with lakes such as Lake Shelbyville, Carlyle Lake, and Rend Lake. State boundaries with Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, and Wisconsin are marked, and a small locator map of the United States indicates Illinois' position.
Map of the Midwestern United States showing state boundaries, major cities, state capitals, rivers, lakes, and notable physical features such as the Black Hills, Badlands, Sand Hills, Ozark Plateau, and Flint Hills. The map covers states including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, with the Great Lakes and major rivers labeled. An inset in the upper right highlights the Midwest region on a map of the entire U
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, Images and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
President Barack Obama stands smiling with arms crossed in the Oval Office, with the American flag and presidential seal visible behind him.
Barack Obama
president of United States
Abraham Lincoln portrait
Abraham Lincoln
president of United States
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, 2021
J.B. Pritzker
American politician
Fred Hampton speaks into microphones at a rally outside the U.S. Courthouse, with Dr. Benjamin Spock standing behind him among a crowd and a protest sign partially visible.
Fred Hampton
American activist
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich
American politician
Adlai E. Stevenson
Adlai E. Stevenson
American political leader and diplomat
Trumbull, Lyman
Lyman Trumbull
United States senator
Carol Moseley Braun
Carol Moseley Braun
United States senator
default image
Robert Michel
American politician
John Peter Altgeld
John Peter Altgeld
governor of Illinois, United States
Davis, David
David Davis
United States jurist and politician
default image
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
default image
Alzina Parsons Stevens
American labor leader
Chase, Philander
Philander Chase
American clergyman
John J. Hopfield
John J. Hopfield
American physicist

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