
Everything You Need To Know About Illinois
Illinois
STATE FACTS
State Motto: State Sovereignty, National Union
State Capital: Springfield
State Population: 12.6 million (as of 2024)
Nickname: The Prairie State
Abbreviation: IL
Region: Midwest
Year of Statehood: December 3, 1818 (21st state)
States That Share a Border:
- Wisconsin
- Iowa
- Missouri
- Kentucky
- Indiana
STATE SYMBOLS
Bird: Northern Cardinal
Flower: Violet
Tree: White Oak
Flag: Illinois Flag
Animal: White-tailed Deer
5 FAMOUS LANDMARKS:
Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) – One of the tallest buildings in the U.S.
Millennium Park – Home of “The Bean” sculpture in Chicago
Starved Rock State Park – Canyons, waterfalls, and hiking trails
Abraham Lincoln Home National Historical Park – Lincoln’s former home
- Cahokia Mounds – Ancient Native American city and UNESCO site
5 FAMOUS FOODS:
Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza – Thick crust pizza baked in a pan with cheese and sauce layered on top.
Italian Beef Sandwich – Thin-sliced beef soaked in seasoned broth, served on a roll.
Chicago-Style Hot Dog – Beef hot dog topped with mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle, and celery salt (no ketchup).
Horseshoe Sandwich – Open-faced sandwich with meat, fries, and cheese sauce.
Garrett Popcorn (Chicago Mix) – Combination of caramel and cheese popcorn.
Illinois Maps
Rivers Map
Illinois Map – Default view is great for cities. Terrain view is great for physical features.
Illinois Counties Map
5 INTERESTING FACTS:
Illinois has more than 2,900 miles of railroads, one of the most in the U.S.
Chicago reversed the flow of the Chicago River in 1900.
Abraham Lincoln lived in Illinois longer than any other state.
Illinois has farmland covering about 75% of the state.
- Route 66 begins in Chicago.
Here’s a video about the state of Illinois by Homeschool Pop on Youtube.

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