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
MARTINTON
Martinton is a Village in Iroquois county with -500 inhabitants.
MARYVILLE
Maryville is a Village in Madison county with -5 000 inhabitants.
MASCOUTAH
Mascoutah is a City in St. Clair county with -10 000 inhabitants.
MASON
Mason is a Town in Effingham county with -500 inhabitants.
MASON CITY
Mason City is a City in Mason county with -3 000 inhabitants.
MATHERVILLE
Matherville is a Village in Mercer county with -1 000 inhabitants.
MATTESON
Matteson is a Village in Cook county with -1 000 inhabitants.
MATTOON
Mattoon is a City in Coles county with -20 000 inhabitants.
MAUNIE
Maunie is a Village in White county with -500 inhabitants.
MAYWOOD
Maywood is a Village in Cook county with -500 inhabitants.
MAZON
Mazon is a Village in Grundy county with -1 000 inhabitants.
MCCLURE
McClure is a Village in Alexander county with -500 inhabitants.
MCCOOK
McCook is a Village in Cook county with -500 inhabitants.
MCCULLOM LAKE
McCullom Lake is a Village in McHenry county with -500 inhabitants.
MCHENRY
McHenry is a City in McHenry county with -500 inhabitants.
MCLEAN
McLean is a Village in McLean county with -1 000 inhabitants.
MCLEANSBORO
McLeansboro is a City in Hamilton county with -3 000 inhabitants.
MCNABB
McNabb is a Village in Putnam county with -500 inhabitants.
MECHANICSBURG
Mechanicsburg is a Village in Sangamon county with -500 inhabitants.
MEDIA
Media is a Village in Henderson county with -500 inhabitants.
MEDORA
Medora is a Village in Macoupin county with -1 000 inhabitants.
MELROSE PARK
Melrose Park is a Village in Cook county with -1 000 inhabitants.
MELVIN
Melvin is a Village in Ford county with -500 inhabitants.
MENDON
Mendon is a Village in Adams county with -1 000 inhabitants.
MENDOTA
Mendota is a City in LaSalle county with -10 000 inhabitants.
MENOMINEE
Menominee is a Village in Jo Daviess county with -500 inhabitants.
MEREDOSIA
Meredosia is a Village in Morgan county with -1 500 inhabitants.
MERRIONETTE PARK
Merrionette Park is a Village in Cook county with -1 500 inhabitants.
METAMORA
Metamora is a Village in Woodford county with -3 000 inhabitants.
METCALF
Metcalf is a Village in Edgar county with -500 inhabitants.