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
WILMINGTON
Wilmington is a City in Will county with inhabitants.
WILMETTE
Wilmette is a Village in Cook county with inhabitants.
WILLOWBROOK
Willowbrook is a Village in DuPage county with inhabitants.
WILLOW SPRINGS
Willow Springs is a Village in Cook county with inhabitants.
WILLOW HILL
Willow Hill is a Village in Jasper county with -500 inhabitants.
WILLISVILLE
Willisville is a Village in Perry county with -1 000 inhabitants.
WILLIAMSVILLE
Williamsville is a Village in Sangamon county with -1 500 inhabitants.
WILLIAMSON
Williamson is a Village in Madison county with -500 inhabitants.
WILLIAMSFIELD
Williamsfield is a Village in Knox county with -1 000 inhabitants.
WHITEASH
Whiteash is a Village in Williamson county with -500 inhabitants.
WHITE HALL
White Hall is a City in Greene county with -3 000 inhabitants.
WHITE CITY
White City is a Village in Macoupin county with -500 inhabitants.
WHEELING
Wheeling is a Village in Cook county with -500 inhabitants.
WHEELER
Wheeler is a Village in Jasper county with -500 inhabitants.
WHEATON
Wheaton is a City in DuPage county with -500 inhabitants.
WESTVILLE
Westville is a Village in Vermilion county with -4 000 inhabitants.
WESTMONT
Westmont is a Village in DuPage county with -4 000 inhabitants.
WESTFIELD
Westfield is a Village in Clark county with -1 000 inhabitants.
WESTERN SPRINGS
Western Springs is a Village in Cook county with -1 000 inhabitants.
WESTCHESTER
Westchester is a Village in Cook county with -1 000 inhabitants.
WEST SALEM
West Salem is a Village in Edwards county with -1 500 inhabitants.
WEST POINT
West Point is a Village in Hancock county with -500 inhabitants.
WEST PEORIA
West Peoria is a City in Peoria county with -5 000 inhabitants.
WEST FRANKFORT
West Frankfort is a City in Franklin county with -10 000 inhabitants.
WEST DUNDEE
West Dundee is a Village in Kane county with -10 000 inhabitants.
WEST CITY
West City is a Village in Franklin county with -1 000 inhabitants.
WEST CHICAGO
West Chicago is a City in DuPage county with -1 000 inhabitants.
WEST BROOKLYN
West Brooklyn is a Village in Lee county with -500 inhabitants.
WENONAH
Wenonah is a Village in Montgomery county with -100 inhabitants.
WENONA
Wenona is a City in Marshall county with -1 500 inhabitants.