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
SOUTH ROXANA
South Roxana is a Village in Madison county with -2 000 inhabitants.
SOUTH PEKIN
South Pekin is a Village in Tazewell county with -1 500 inhabitants.
SOUTH JACKSONVILLE
South Jacksonville is a Village in Morgan county with -4 000 inhabitants.
SOUTH HOLLAND
South Holland is a Village in Cook county with -4 000 inhabitants.
SOUTH ELGIN
South Elgin is a Village in Kane county with -4 000 inhabitants.
SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS
South Chicago Heights is a Village in Cook county with -4 000 inhabitants.
SOUTH BELOIT
South Beloit is a City in Winnebago county with -10 000 inhabitants.
SOUTH BARRINGTON
South Barrington is a Village in Cook county with -10 000 inhabitants.
SORENTO
Sorento is a Village in Bond county with -1 000 inhabitants.
SOMONAUK
Somonauk is a Village in DeKalb county with -1 500 inhabitants.
SMITHTON
Smithton is a Village in St. Clair county with -2 500 inhabitants.
SMITHFIELD
Smithfield is a Village in Fulton county with -500 inhabitants.
SMITHBORO
Smithboro is a Village in Bond county with -500 inhabitants.
SLEEPY HOLLOW
Sleepy Hollow is a Village in Cook county with -500 inhabitants.
SKOKIE
Skokie is a Village in Cook county with -500 inhabitants.
SIMS
Sims is a Village in Wayne county with -500 inhabitants.
SIMPSON
Simpson is a Village in Johnson county with -100 inhabitants.
SILVIS
Silvis is a City in Rock Island county with -10 000 inhabitants.
SIGEL
Sigel is a Town in Shelby county with -500 inhabitants.
SIDNEY
Sidney is a Village in Champaign county with -1 500 inhabitants.
SIDELL
Sidell is a Village in Vermilion county with -1 000 inhabitants.
SIBLEY
Sibley is a Village in Ford county with -500 inhabitants.
SHUMWAY
Shumway is a Village in Effingham county with -500 inhabitants.
SHOREWOOD
Shorewood is a Village in Will county with -500 inhabitants.
SHIPMAN
Shipman is a Village in Macoupin county with -1 000 inhabitants.
SHILOH
Shiloh is a Village in St. Clair county with -10 000 inhabitants.
SHERRARD
Sherrard is a Village in Mercer county with -1 000 inhabitants.
SHERMAN
Sherman is a Village in Sangamon county with -3 000 inhabitants.
SHERIDAN
Sheridan is a Village in LaSalle county with -2 500 inhabitants.
SHELDON
Sheldon is a Village in Iroquois county with -1 500 inhabitants.