100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Illinois (IL) lies in the American Midwest, and its diversified economy relies on industry, agriculture, and financial services. While the capital of Illinois is Springfield, the largest and best-known city is Chicago. The world’s first skyscraper opened in Chicago in 1885, the Home Insurance Building had 10 stories at the time of its opening (two more were added later) and measured 138.0 ft.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Illinois Abbreviation IL Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago (Population: 2 664 452) Current time 10:53 Time zone CST (UTC-6), the state observes daylight saving time CDT (UTC-5) Population 12,813,469 (#6 most populous US state) Area 57,914 sqmi (#25 largest US state) Admitted to the Union December 3, 1818 (#21 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Illinois
The capital of the state of Illinois is Springfield, which was founded in 1821 and originally bore the name Calhoun in honor of South Carolina senator John Caldwell Calhoun. Springfield became the capital of Illinois in 1839.
🏙️ Largest City in Illinois
The largest city in Illinois is Chicago, which had 2,664,452 residents in 2023. Second is Aurora with a population of 177,563, and third is Joliet with 150,489 residents.
🕒 Time in Illinois
The current time in Chicago is 10:53. The entire state of Illinois observes Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) and switches to Daylight Saving Time, CDT (UTC-5), from March to November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Illinois
In 2023, Illinois had 12,813,469 residents, making it the 6th most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Illinois
The total area of Illinois is 57,914 sqmi, of which 55,586 sqmi is land and 2,309 sqmi is water. Illinois ranks as the 25th largest state in the USA.
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Fun Facts About the State of Illinois
🧩 Which States Border Illinois
Illinois has land borders with five different U.S. states. To the southwest is Missouri, to the northwest Iowa, to the north Wisconsin, to the east Indiana, and to the south Kentucky. In addition, its border includes shoreline along Lake Michigan, where Illinois shares a water boundary with the state of Michigan. Also notable is the Kaskaskia enclave, a small area surrounded by the state of Missouri.
📅 Date of Illinois Statehood
Illinois entered the Union on December 3, 1818 as the 21st state, preceded by the Illinois Territory.
📛 Illinois State Nickname
Illinois is proud of the 16th U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln, who lived in the state for many years. It chose the official slogan “Land of Lincoln,” which appears, among other places, on license plates.
The unofficial nickname of Illinois is “The Prairie State,” a nod to the vast prairie plains that characterize the state.
⛰️ Highest Point in Illinois
The highest point in Illinois is the hill Charles Mound at only 1,235 ft, located near the state’s border with Wisconsin.
🏞️ Rivers in Illinois
The longest river in Illinois is the Mississippi River with a total length across all states of 2,318 mi. It is followed by the Ohio River (981 mi), the Wabash River (503 mi), the Illinois River (332 mi), and the Rock River (299 mi).
🎓 Universities in Illinois
The largest university in the state is the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, founded in 1867 and attended by around 57,000 students. Second is the University of Illinois Chicago with approximately 34,000 students, and third is Northwestern University with roughly 23,000 enrolled students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Illinois
The state of Illinois is assigned ZIP code ranges 600xx-620xx and 622xx-629xx. You can read more in the article ZIP Codes in the USA, and you can look up the ZIP code for a specific address on the U.S. Postal Service website.
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Weather in Illinois
The best time to visit Illinois is fall, when temperatures are pleasant and rainfall totals are lower than in spring and summer.
Spring in Illinois brings a gradual improvement in weather, with temperatures usually between 50 °F and 68 °F. Especially in April and May, expect frequent rain; occasional thunderstorms may come with strong winds and hail.
Summer in Illinois is hot and humid, with temperatures most often reaching 77 °F to 86 °F. Higher humidity can feel uncomfortable, and in June in particular there are frequent showers that can cause flash flooding.
Fall in Illinois is more comfortable, with typical temperatures ranging from 50 °F to 59 °F. Rain is less frequent compared with other months, which creates good conditions for travel and exploring nature.
Winters in Illinois are very cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing to 32 °F to 14 °F. Snowfall is common, and in January and February monthly snowfall can reach up to 30 cm. Strong winds can make it feel even colder.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Illinois
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What to See in Illinois
1️⃣ Millennium Park in Chicago
Millennium Park is one of the state’s most famous attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year. The park is known for its art installations, the most popular being the stainless steel Cloud Gate. Photos with the mirrored skyline are among Chicago’s calling cards. The free park often hosts outdoor cultural and community events.
2️⃣ Six Flags Great America Theme Park
Six Flags Great America ranks among the best theme parks in the USA. Visitors can enjoy roughly a hundred attractions, including more than ten adrenaline-pumping roller coasters. On hot summer days, the adjacent Hurricane Harbor water park is a favorite for cooling off. The park offers a full day of fun for families and groups of friends.
3️⃣ Willis Tower Skyscraper in Chicago
Willis Tower is a 1,450 ft-tall skyscraper in Chicago that was known as the Sears Tower until 2009, named after the retail company that built it in the 1970s. Visitors can access the Skydeck on the 103rd floor for sweeping views of the city and surrounding landscape.
In good visibility, you can see as far as 50 mi. A favorite attraction is The Ledge, a glass balcony that juts out from the building with a transparent floor looking straight down to the street.
4️⃣ Route 66 Museum
A museum in the city of Pontiac is dedicated to the famous Route 66, which ran through eight U.S. states including Illinois. The museum houses an extensive collection of photos, artifacts, and other mementos chronicling the history of this legendary highway. Visitors can learn how Route 66 shaped American culture and view historic vehicles that once traveled it.
5️⃣ Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits focused on science, technology, and industry. A popular centerpiece is the German submarine U-505, part of the museum’s collection since 1954. Portions of the museum’s exhibits are regularly updated, and it hosts recurring workshops.
6️⃣ Magnificent Mile Shopping Boulevard
If New York has its famous Fifth Avenue, Chicago has the Magnificent Mile. This renowned downtown street is lined with luxury stores and brand-name boutiques, complemented by upscale restaurants and hotels.
Several buildings are architectural highlights in their own right, including the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower from 1923 and the Wrigley Building, once home to the famous chewing gum maker.
7️⃣ Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is home to thousands of marine and freshwater species, making it one of the largest aquariums in the USA. Through the thick viewing windows you can watch dolphins, sharks, penguins, turtles, and other creatures from oceans, rivers, and lakes. The aquarium includes interactive exhibits and educational programs focused on marine conservation. Shedd Aquarium is a fun destination for families with kids of all ages.
8️⃣ Navy Pier in Chicago
Once used as a pier for naval vessels, today it is a popular Chicago attraction offering a range of activities, including a Ferris wheel and restaurants. During the summer season, the pier hosts concerts and theater performances. Visitors can take a boat cruise on Lake Michigan or simply enjoy views of Chicago’s skyline.
9️⃣ Illinois State Capitol Building
The Capitol building in the capital city of Springfield serves as the seat of government and is one of the most important historic buildings in Illinois. Constructed between 1868 and 1888, it showcases beautiful Neo-Renaissance architecture with Second Empire elements. Guided tours are available and include visits to legislative chambers.
🔟 The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago ranks among the world’s leading art museums. Its collection includes thousands of works, with a large share of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings by French artist Claude Monet, Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh, and French painter Georges Seurat. Portions of the museum’s exhibits are periodically rotated.
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Largest Cities in Illinois
The table shows the ten largest cities in the state of Illinois in 2023; the data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the national census.
City County Population 1 Chicago Cook, DuPage 2,664,452 Map of Chicago 2 Aurora DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Will 177,563 Map of Aurora 3 Joliet Will, Kendall 150,489 Map of Joliet 4 Naperville DuPage, Will 150,245 Map of Naperville 5 Rockford Winnebago, Ogle 146,120 Map of Rockford 6 Elgin Kane, Cook 113,310 Map of Elgin 7 Springfield Sangamon 112,544 Map of Springfield 8 Peoria Peoria 110,460 Map of Peoria 9 Champaign Champaign 89,189 Map of Champaign 10 Waukegan Lake 87,642 Map of Waukegan -
Sports Teams in Illinois
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
The only NHL club from Illinois is the Chicago Blackhawks, founded in 1926 and part of the Central Division in the Western Conference. They play home games at United Center in Chicago; the team colors are red, white, and black.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
The only NFL team from Illinois is the Chicago Bears, who played in the NFL’s inaugural 1920 season. The club is part of the NFC North and plays home games at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Bears’ team colors are navy blue, orange, and white.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
The only NBA team from Illinois is the Chicago Bulls of the Central Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays home games at United Center in Chicago. The team colors are red, black, and white; the Bulls played their first NBA season in 1966.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
Two Illinois clubs play in Major League Baseball.
The Chicago Cubs were in the National League as early as 1876 and are now part of its Central Division. The team colors are blue, red, and white. The Cubs play home games at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
The second club is the Chicago White Sox, who began play in 1901. The team belongs to the American League Central Division and plays home games at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. The White Sox team colors are black, silver, and white.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Since the 1998 season, Chicago Fire FC has competed in MLS and belongs to the Eastern Conference. The team colors are red, blue, navy, and white, and all home matches are played at Soldier Field in Chicago.
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Illinois State Symbols
Since its admission to the Union in 1818, Illinois has adopted a range of state symbols, with only some of them listed below.
Illinois State Flag
The Illinois state flag features the state seal on a white field, accompanied by the state’s name. The current design has been in use since September 17, 1969, when the seal’s graphics were slightly revised and the state name was added.
Illinois State Seal
The main motif of the seal is the bald eagle standing on a rock, holding a shield in its talons and a banner with the state motto in its beak. The shield bears thirteen stars and thirteen stripes representing the original thirteen states of the Union. The seal’s design was created by Sharon Tyndale, Illinois Secretary of State from 1865 to 1869.
State Flower
Since 1908, the official flower by law has been the violet (Viola sororia); around 30 species of this plant grow throughout the state.
State Bird
The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) was added to the state symbols in 1929 and became common in Illinois after 1900.
State Fish
In 1986, a law designated the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) as a state symbol; this fish lives in waters across Illinois.
State Snack
There are about 330 farms in Illinois that grow corn for popcorn. Since 2004, popcorn has been the official state snack.
State Mineral
The official state mineral since 1965 is fluorite; the most significant deposits are in southern Illinois near the city of Rosiclare and the village of Cave-In-Rock.
State Wildflower
In 2017, Illinois added a state wildflower, milkweed (Asclepias spp.).
State Vegetable
In 2015, a law designated sweet corn as the official state vegetable. The crop is commonly grown throughout the state.
State Snake
Since 2022, the official state snake has been the eastern milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum), a red-brown snake with white and black bands that typically measures 60 cm to 180 cm.
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