Illinois
Illinois is bordered by Wisconsin in the north; Lake Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky in the east; Kentucky and Missouri in the south; and Missouri and Iowa in the west. With a population of 12,671,821 (January 2020), Illinois is the sixth largest population, and the 25th largest land area of all U.S. states. The capital of Illinois is Springfield, but the biggest city is Chicago. Its governor is J. B. Pritzker, an American businessman, co-founder of the Pritzker Group, and a member of the Pritzker family that owns the Hyatt hotel chain.
The first Europeans to reach the area were French explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet, who arrived in 1673. In 1717 Illinois became part of the Louisiana territory, a French colony, but in 1763 the French ceded the region to Britain. After the American Revolution, Illinois became a U.S. territory, and in 1818 it was declared the 21st state.
Because of its geographic position and its long north-south axis, Illinois has wide regional variations in temperature. Across the state, seasonal temperature variation also tends to be great, with typically cold, snowy winters and hot summers. Much of Illinois was once covered in prairie grass, earning the state its nickname. The diversified nature of its economy, strength in manufacturing, agriculture, finance, mining, transportation, government, technology, and services (including tourism) makes Illinois a microcosm of the national economy.
The state’s official snack food is popcorn, which can be served Chicago-style: with a mixture of cheese-covered and caramel-covered popcorn.
Illinois’ slogan is "the Land of Lincoln" because Abraham Lincoln lived there for 31 years. Today, visitors can see Lincoln’s home and his tomb in Springfield.
If you want information about your city in Illinois, click on the Illinois city names or Illinois town names below:
Complete List of Cities in Illinois
WASHINGTON
Washington is a City in Tazewell county with -15 000 inhabitants.
SWANSEA
Swansea is a Village in St. Clair county with -15 000 inhabitants.
GLEN CARBON
Glen Carbon is a Village in Madison county with -15 000 inhabitants.
HARRISBURG
Harrisburg is a City in Saline county with -10 000 inhabitants.
MONMOUTH
Monmouth is a City in Warren county with -10 000 inhabitants.
PERU
Peru is a City in LaSalle county with -10 000 inhabitants.
LASALLE
LaSalle is a City in LaSalle county with -10 000 inhabitants.
ROCK FALLS
Rock Falls is a City in Whiteside county with -10 000 inhabitants.
BETHALTO
Bethalto is a Village in Madison county with -10 000 inhabitants.
ROCHELLE
Rochelle is a City in Ogle county with -10 000 inhabitants.
PARIS
Paris is a City in Edgar county with -10 000 inhabitants.
OLNEY
Olney is a City in Richland county with -10 000 inhabitants.
CHATHAM
Chatham is a Village in Sangamon county with -10 000 inhabitants.
TROY
Troy is a City in Madison county with -10 000 inhabitants.
HIGHLAND
Highland is a City in Madison county with -10 000 inhabitants.
WEST FRANKFORT
West Frankfort is a City in Franklin county with -10 000 inhabitants.
JERSEYVILLE
Jerseyville is a City in Jersey county with -10 000 inhabitants.
MOUNT CARMEL
Mount Carmel is a City in Wabash county with -10 000 inhabitants.
COLUMBIA
Columbia is a City in Monroe county with -10 000 inhabitants.
SALEM
Salem is a City in Marion county with -10 000 inhabitants.
SHILOH
Shiloh is a Village in St. Clair county with -10 000 inhabitants.
WATERLOO
Waterloo is a City in Monroe county with -10 000 inhabitants.
PRINCETON
Princeton is a City in Bureau county with -10 000 inhabitants.
CLINTON
Clinton is a City in De Witt county with -10 000 inhabitants.
MENDOTA
Mendota is a City in LaSalle county with -10 000 inhabitants.
SILVIS
Silvis is a City in Rock Island county with -10 000 inhabitants.
VANDALIA
Vandalia is a City in Fayette county with -10 000 inhabitants.
GREENVILLE
Greenville is a City in Bond county with -10 000 inhabitants.
BENTON
Benton is a City in Franklin county with -10 000 inhabitants.
EAST ALTON
East Alton is a Village in Madison county with -10 000 inhabitants.