About Illinois
The state of Illinois is a special place and I am proud to represent such a fine state in the United States Senate. From the urban expanse of the city of Chicago, to the farms and fields of central and southern Illinois, our state is as diverse as the nearly 13 million residents who call it home. On this page you can find information about what makes Illinois such a unique state.
Illinois History - Important Dates
1673 - Louis Jolliet and Father Marquette arrive in Illinois
1763 - England receives Illinois at the end of the French and Indian War
1818 - Illinois becomes the 21st state
1853 - First Illinois State Fair is held
1893 - Chicago World's Fair
1958 - Illinois tollway opens
1986 - Chicago Bears win Super Bowl XX
2005 - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum opens
Unique to Illinois
- Illinois and Michigan Canal National Park
- Shawnee National Forest
- Midwine National Tallgrass Praire
- Abraham Lincoln Home
- Brookfield Zoo
- Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Shedd Aquarium
For additional information on things to do in Illinois, please visit The State of Illinois Travel & Recreation Page.
Illinois Facts and Figures
- Slogan - "Land of Lincoln"
- Motto - “State Sovereignty, National Union”
- Insect - Monarch Butterfly
- Bird - Cardinal
- Tree - White Oak
- Flower - Violet and Native Oak
- Fish - Bluegill
- Capital - Springfield
- Population - 12,830,632 (5th largest in US)
- Largest City - Chicago 2,695,598 (3rd largest in US)
- Highest Point - Charles Mound (1,235 ft)
- Lowest point - Mississippi River (279 ft)