Illinois
State abbreviation/Postal code: Ill./IL Governor: Bruce Rauner, R (to Jan. 2019) Lieut. Governor: Evelyn Sanguinetti, R (to Jan. 2019) Senators: Richard J. Durbin, D (to Jan. 2021); Mark Kirk, R (to Jan. 2017) Historical biographies of Congressional members Atty. General: Lisa Madigan, D (to Jan. 2019) Secy. of State: Jesse White, D (to Jan. 2019) Treasurer: Michael W. Frerichs, D (to Jan. 2019) Organized as territory: Feb. 3, 1809 Entered Union (rank): Dec. 3, 1818 (21) Present constitution adopted: 1970 Motto: State sovereignty, national union
Nickname: Prairie State Origin of name: Algonquin for “tribe of superior men” 10 largest cities (2014): Chicago, 2,714,856; Aurora, 199,932; Rockford, 150,843; Joliet, 148,268; Naperville, 143,684; Springfield, 117,126; Peoria, 115,687; Elgin, 109,927; Waukegan, 88,862; Cicero, 84,137 Land area: 55,584 sq mi. (143,963 sq km) Geographic center: In Logan Co., 28 mi. NE of Springfield Number of counties: 102 Largest county by population and area: Cook, 5,227,992 (2012); McLean, 1,184 sq mi. Public use areas: 186 (275,000 ac.), incl. state parks, memorials, forests and conservation areas Residents: Illinoisan 2015 resident population: 12,859,995 2010 resident census population (rank): 12,830,632 (5). Male: 6,292,276 (49.3%); Female: 6,538,356 (50.7%). White: 9,177,877 (71.5%); Black: 1,866,414 (14.5%); American Indian: 43,963 (0.3%); Asian: 586,934 (4.6%); Other race: 861,412 (6.8%); Two or more races: 289,982 (2.3%); Hispanic/Latino: 2,027,578 (15.8%). 2010 population 18 and over: 9,701,453; 65 and over: 1,609,213; median age: 36.6. |
French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet, in 1673, were the first Europeans of record to visit the region. In 1699 French settlers established the first permanent settlement at Cahokia, near present-day East St. Louis. Great Britain obtained the region at the end of the French and Indian Wars in 1763. The area figured prominently in frontier struggles during the Revolutionary War and in Indian wars during the early 19th century.
Significant episodes in the state's early history include the influx of settlers following the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825; the Black Hawk War, which virtually ended the Indian troubles in the area; and the rise of Abraham Lincoln from farm laborer to president.
Today, Illinois stands high in manufacturing, coal mining, agriculture, and oil production. The state's manufactures include food and agricultural products, transportation equipment, chemicals, industrial machinery, and computer equipment. The sprawling Chicago district (including a slice of Indiana) is a great iron and steel producer, meat packer, grain exchange, and railroad center. Chicago is also famous as a Great Lakes port.
Illinois is a leading producer of soybeans, corn, and hogs. Other agricultural commodities include cattle, wheat, oats, sorghum, and hay.
Central Illinois is noted for shrines and memorials associated with the life of Abraham Lincoln. In Springfield are the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln Tomb, and the restored Old State Capitol. Other points of interest are the home of Mormon leader Joseph Smith in Nauvoo and, in Chicago: the Art Institute, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Merchandise Mart, and Chicago Portage National Historic Site.
On February 14, 2008, former graduate student Stephen Kazmierczak, 21, opened fire in a classroom on the campus of Northern Illinois University, resulting in 18 casualties and six fatalities, including himself.
The first Democrat to have been elected governor in 30 years, Rod Blagojevich, was arrested on December 9, 2008, and impeached on January 9, 2009 on charges of corruption. He began serving a fourteen-year prison sentence on March 15, 2012.
In 2011, the final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show was aired in Chicago, Ms. Winfrey's adopted home town. It was the longest-running talk show in television history, spanning 25 years and garnering countless awards.
See more on Illinois:
Encyclopedia: Illinois
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Selected famous natives and residents:
- Franklin Pierce Adams author;
- Jane Addams social worker;
- Mary Astor actress;
- Jack Benny comedian;
- Black Hawk Sauk Indian chief;
- Harry A. Blackmun jurist;
- Bonnie Blair Olympic speed skater;
- Ray Bradbury author;
- William Jennings Bryan orator and politician;
- Edgar Rice Burroughs novelist;
- Gower Champion choreographer;
- John Chancellor TV commentator;
- Raymond Chandler writer;
- Hillary Clinton Secretary of State;
- Jimmy Connors tennis champion;
- James Gould Cozzens novelist;
- Richard J. Daley mayor of Chicago;
- Miles Davis musician;
- Peter DeVries novelist;
- Everett Dirksen senator;
- Walt Disney film animator and producer;
- John Dos Passos author;
- James T. Farrell novelist;
- Dan Fogelberg singer and songwriter;
- Harrison Ford actor;
- Betty Friedan feminist;
- Benny Goodman musician;
- John Gunther author;
- Ernest Hemingway author;
- Charlton Heston actor;
- Wild Bill Hickok scout;
- William Holden actor;
- Rock Hudson actor;
- Burl Ives singer;
- James Jones novelist;
- John Jones civil rights leader;
- Quincy Jones composer;
- Keokuk (Watchful Fox) chief of the Sac and Fox Indians;
- Walter Kerr drama critic;
- Archibald MacLeish poet;
- David Mamet playwright;
- Robert A. Millikan physicist;
- Sherrill Milnes baritone;
- Bill Murray actor;
- Bob Newhart actor and comedian;
- William S. Paley broadcasting executive;
- Drew Pearson columnist;
- Richard Pryor comedian and actor;
- Ronald Reagan former president and actor;
- Carl Sandburg poet;
- Sam Shepard playwright;
- William L. Shirer author and historian;
- Shel Silverstein author;
- John Paul Stevens jurist;
- McLean Stevenson actor;
- Preston Sturges director;
- Gloria Swanson actress;
- Carl Van Doren writer and educator;
- Melvin Van Peebles playwright;
- Irving Wallace novelist;
- Alfred Wallenstein conductor;
- Raquel Welch actress;
- Oprah Winfrey television talk show host and actress;
- Florenz Ziegfield theatrical producer.
