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Illinois
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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.
Illinois: The history and demographics of the Prairie State
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.
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Chicago skyline with tall modern skyscrapers seen from Lake Michigan, with boats and water in the foreground.
Illinois summary
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Illinois: first flag
Illinois: first flag

Illinois

state, United States
Also known as: Prairie State
Written by
Janet M. Cartwright
Attorney.
Janet M. CartwrightAll
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

Illinois, constituent state of the United States of America. It stretches southward 385 miles (620 km) from the Wisconsin border in the north to Cairo in the south. In addition to Wisconsin, the state borders Lake Michigan to the northeast, Indiana to the east, Kentucky to the southeast, Missouri to the west, and Iowa to the northwest. Illinois was named for the Illinois Indians. The capital is Springfield, in the west-central part of the state....

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