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
EAST CAPE GIRARDEAU
East Cape Girardeau is a Village in Alexander county with -500 inhabitants.
EAST CARONDELET
East Carondelet is a Village in St. Clair county with -500 inhabitants.
EAST DUBUQUE
East Dubuque is a City in Jo Daviess county with -2 000 inhabitants.
EAST DUNDEE
East Dundee is a Village in Kane county with -2 000 inhabitants.
EAST GALESBURG
East Galesburg is a Village in Knox county with -1 000 inhabitants.
EAST GILLESPIE
East Gillespie is a Village in Macoupin county with -500 inhabitants.
EAST HAZEL CREST
East Hazel Crest is a Village in Cook county with -500 inhabitants.
EAST MOLINE
East Moline is a City in Rock Island county with -30 000 inhabitants.
EAST PEORIA
East Peoria is a City in Tazewell county with -30 000 inhabitants.
EAST ST. LOUIS
East St. Louis is a City in St. Clair county with -40 000 inhabitants.
EASTON
Easton is a Village in Mason county with -500 inhabitants.
EDDYVILLE
Eddyville is a Village in Pope county with -500 inhabitants.
EDGEWOOD
Edgewood is a Village in Effingham county with -1 000 inhabitants.
EDINBURG
Edinburg is a Village in Christian county with -1 500 inhabitants.
EDWARDSVILLE
Edwardsville is a City in Madison county with -30 000 inhabitants.
EFFINGHAM
Effingham is a City in Effingham county with -15 000 inhabitants.
EL DARA
El Dara is a Village in Pike county with -100 inhabitants.
EL PASO
El Paso is a City in Woodford county with -3 000 inhabitants.
ELBURN
Elburn is a Village in Kane county with -3 000 inhabitants.
ELDORADO
Eldorado is a City in Saline county with -5 000 inhabitants.
ELDRED
Eldred is a Village in Greene county with -500 inhabitants.
ELGIN
Elgin is a City in Kane county with -500 inhabitants.
ELIZABETH
Elizabeth is a Village in Jo Daviess county with -1 000 inhabitants.
ELIZABETHTOWN
Elizabethtown is a Village in Hardin county with -500 inhabitants.
ELK GROVE VILLAGE
Elk Grove Village is a Village in Cook county with -500 inhabitants.
ELKHART
Elkhart is a Village in Logan county with -500 inhabitants.
ELKVILLE
Elkville is a Village in Jackson county with -1 500 inhabitants.
ELLIOTT
Elliott is a Village in Ford county with -500 inhabitants.
ELLIS GROVE
Ellis Grove is a Village in Randolph county with -500 inhabitants.
ELLISVILLE
Ellisville is a Village in Fulton county with -100 inhabitants.