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
HERRIN
Herrin is a City in Williamson county with -15 000 inhabitants.
CRETE
Crete is a Village in Will county with -15 000 inhabitants.
CREST HILL
Crest Hill is a City in Will county with -15 000 inhabitants.
BOURBONNAIS
Bourbonnais is a Village in Kankakee county with -20 000 inhabitants.
MARSEILLES
Marseilles is a City in LaSalle county with -5 000 inhabitants.
LIBERTYVILLE
Libertyville is a Village in Lake county with -5 000 inhabitants.
HAMPSHIRE
Hampshire is a Village in Kane county with -5 000 inhabitants.
CENTRALIA
Centralia is a City in Marion county with -15 000 inhabitants.
PERU
Peru is a City in LaSalle county with -10 000 inhabitants.
CAIRO
Cairo is a City in Alexander county with -4 000 inhabitants.
MOKENA
Mokena is a Village in Will county with -4 000 inhabitants.
WHEELING
Wheeling is a Village in Cook county with -4 000 inhabitants.
SPRING GROVE
Spring Grove is a Village in McHenry county with -4 000 inhabitants.
BULL VALLEY
Bull Valley is a Village in McHenry county with -4 000 inhabitants.
CHERRY VALLEY
Cherry Valley is a Village in Winnebago county with -2 500 inhabitants.
BARTONVILLE
Bartonville is a Village in Peoria county with -10 000 inhabitants.
MAHOMET
Mahomet is a Village in Champaign county with -5 000 inhabitants.
OAK LAWN
Oak Lawn is a Village in Cook county with -5 000 inhabitants.
HARVARD
Harvard is a City in McHenry county with -5 000 inhabitants.
ANTIOCH
Antioch is a Village in Lake county with -5 000 inhabitants.
LEMONT
Lemont is a Village in Cook county with -5 000 inhabitants.
OAK BROOK
Oak Brook is a Village in DuPage county with -5 000 inhabitants.
WASHINGTON
Washington is a City in Tazewell county with -15 000 inhabitants.
VANDALIA
Vandalia is a City in Fayette county with -10 000 inhabitants.
CARPENTERSVILLE
Carpentersville is a Village in Kane county with -10 000 inhabitants.
POPLAR GROVE
Poplar Grove is a Village in Boone county with -1 500 inhabitants.
CANTON
Canton is a City in Fulton county with -20 000 inhabitants.
RANTOUL
Rantoul is a Village in Champaign county with -15 000 inhabitants.
NORTH CHICAGO
North Chicago is a City in Lake county with -15 000 inhabitants.
SHOREWOOD
Shorewood is a Village in Will county with -15 000 inhabitants.