Illinois State Facts, Symbols and History

Illinois Fast Facts

Capital: (popularity). Springfield 117,090 (2008 proj.)

Illinois population: 12,875,255 ( 2012 est.) (5th)

Illinois quarter The Illinois quarter was the first quarter of 2003 and the 21st quarter released in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program.

The design of the Illinois quarter depicts a young Abraham Lincoln within the outline of the state. The farm scene and the Chicago skyline appear to the left and right of the state outline. Twenty-one stars border coin, showing Illinois as the 21st state to be admitted into the Union on December 3, 1818.

The Prairie State, also commonly known as Lincoln’s Land, pays tribute to America’s 16th President. The young Lincoln lived and practiced law in Springfield before becoming one of our nation’s greatest leaders. President Lincoln’s historic home, burial site, and the new Presidential Library are all located in the Springfield

Language: English, others

Largest Cities: (by population) Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, Naperville, Peoria, Springfield, Joliet

Name: The name Illinois is reportedly an adaptation of the French spelling of the Indian Illinois and Peoria word “iliniwok”, meaning men or warriors.

Statehood: December 3, 1818 (21st state)

Symbols of Illinois

• Animal: white-tailed deer
• Bird: cardinal
• Flag of Illinois
• Fish: bluegill
• Flower: purple
• Insect: monarch butterfly
• Mineral: fluorite
• Motto: “State sovereignty – national union”
• Nickname: (most used) Prairie State
• Slogan: “Land of Lincoln”
• Song: “Illinois”
• State seal
• Wood: white oak

Illinois is a state in the Midwest of the United States, leading in the Northeast Center group. The area is 150 thousand km. Population – 12,869,257 people, according to the 2011 census (the fifth most populous state). The capital is Springfield, the largest city is Chicago. Other major cities: Rockford, Peoria, Aurora, Naperville, Decatur. See cities and towns in Illinois.

The state is located on the Central Plains, and 60% of its territory is occupied by prairies, the rest is occupied by hills. It borders Wisconsin to the north, Lake Michigan to the northeast, Indiana to the east and southeast, Kentucky to the south, and Iowa to the west. The southern border runs along the Ohio River, the western and southwestern – along the Mississippi River.

The state has more than 500 rivers (the largest is Illinois) and 950 lakes.

Moderate continental climate.

• AbbreviationFinder: Demonstrates how the two-letter acronym of IL stands for Illinois and a list of frequently used abbreviations related to the state of Illinois.

The state is rich in minerals, including coal, oil, natural gas, zinc, and sandstone.

The first man appeared here around 5000 BC. e., in the XVII – early XIX centuries. the Illiniwec Indians, the ancestors of the Illinois, lived here.

The lands of the future state were first surveyed in 1673 by two Frenchmen – the Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette and the explorer Louis Jollier, in 1680 the Illinois River was surveyed by Robert Lasalle.

The French dominated here until 1763, but like the British, they did not leave a noticeable mark in the history of the region. In 1778 during the Revolutionary War the British were expelled from these places by militia under the command of J. R. Clark, and the territory became part of Virginia. In 1787, Illinois was divided into counties and made official by the Ordinance of the Northwest, and in 1809 the Territory of Illinois was created and mass settlement began. In 1818, Illinois received statehood (21st in a row). It was one of five states that formed out of the Northwest Territory. The first constitution was adopted in 1818, followed in 1848, 1870 and 1970. In the 30s. In the 19th century, the construction of canals and railways began. In 1832, bloody clashes took place between the settlers and the Indians, which went down in history as the Black Hawk War. In 1844, the Mormons were expelled from the state. Since 1850, Illinois has been a leader in every sector of the nation’s economy. During the Civil War, the state supported its native President Lincoln, sent 250,000 men to the Union Army, and became a major supplier of grain and meat to northerners. In 1871, the state experienced the devastating Chicago fire.

By 1880, Illinois was the fourth largest city in terms of population and received several waves of European immigration. At the end of XIX and beginning of XX centuries. the state became the scene of a powerful development of the trade union and labor movement, the strike movement and serious class conflicts. As a result, by the end of the century, workers had achieved the reform of industrial inspection and the recognition of trade unions. By 1903, the introduction of an 8-hour working day and limiting the working week of adolescents to 48 hours, and in 1909 a 10-hour working day for women was introduced. The economic and social growth of the state continued during both world wars.

The post-war period saw the modernization of industry and agriculture, the rapid growth of the population. At present, the process of formation of large farms continues, the change in the ethnic composition of large cities at the expense of minorities, the position of the state as one of the most important trade and financial centers of the country is being strengthened.

Industry with the main center in the Chicago area since the beginning of the 20th century has allowed the state to occupy one of the first places in industrial development in the country. Among the leading industries today are oil refining, mechanical engineering, the food industry, the production of electrical equipment, and the chemical industry.

Historically, the most important role was played by the manufacturing industry – meat processing, woodworking, food.

Large farms are developed (corn, soybeans, wheat, cattle breeding, pig breeding). Since the end of the 19th century, the state has been the initiator of many innovations in agriculture.

Fishing is developed in inland waters (carp, catfish, etc.).

A significant place in the economy is occupied by tourism and the service sector.

Illinois is the country’s leading multi-industry transportation center. Chicago has one of the largest airports in the world. The state’s largest city is also the most important railroad hub in the United States.

The state has always had a great influence on the political life of the United States in general. If in the 19th century the influence of the Republicans prevailed here, then in the 20th century both political parties play an important role in politics. Barack Obama is a former Democratic State Senator of Illinois, elected as the 44th President of the United States, with Congressman Rahm Emanuel as his Chief of Staff.