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
PITTSFIELD
Pittsfield is a City in Pike county with -5 000 inhabitants.
PITTSBURG
Pittsburg is a Village in Williamson county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PIPER CITY
Piper City is a Village in Ford county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PINGREE GROVE
Pingree Grove is a Village in Kane county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PINCKNEYVILLE
Pinckneyville is a City in Perry county with -10 000 inhabitants.
PIERRON
Pierron is a Village in Bond county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PHOENIX
Phoenix is a Village in Cook county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PHILO
Philo is a Village in Champaign county with -1 500 inhabitants.
PHILLIPSTOWN
Phillipstown is a Village in White county with -100 inhabitants.
PETERSBURG
Petersburg is a City in Menard county with -2 500 inhabitants.
PESOTUM
Pesotum is a Village in Champaign county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PERU
Peru is a City in LaSalle county with -10 000 inhabitants.
PERRY
Perry is a Village in Pike county with -500 inhabitants.
PERCY
Percy is a Village in Randolph county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PEOTONE
Peotone is a Village in Will county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PEORIA HEIGHTS
Peoria Heights is a Village in Peoria county with -10 000 inhabitants.
PEORIA
Peoria is a City in Peoria county with -150 000 inhabitants.
PEKIN
Pekin is a City in Tazewell county with -40 000 inhabitants.
PECATONICA
Pecatonica is a Village in Winnebago county with -2 000 inhabitants.
PEARL CITY
Pearl City is a Village in Stephenson county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PEARL
Pearl is a Village in Pike county with -500 inhabitants.
PAYSON
Payson is a Village in Adams county with -1 500 inhabitants.
PAXTON
Paxton is a City in Ford county with -5 000 inhabitants.
PAWNEE
Pawnee is a Village in Sangamon county with -3 000 inhabitants.
PAW PAW
Paw Paw is a Village in Lee county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PATOKA
Patoka is a Village in Marion county with -1 000 inhabitants.
PARKERSBURG
Parkersburg is a Village in Richland county with -500 inhabitants.
PARK RIDGE
Park Ridge is a City in Cook county with -500 inhabitants.
PARK FOREST
Park Forest is a Village in Cook county with -500 inhabitants.
PARK CITY
Park City is a City in Lake county with -500 inhabitants.