Illinois: State of the United States of America
Illinois is a state in the United States.
Its capital is Springfield and its largest city is Chicago. It is bordered to the north by Wisconsin, to the west by Iowa and below that, by Missouri (both borders are along the Mississippi River). To the south-east, Illinois is bordered along the Ohio River by Kentucky and to the east by Indiana. Illinois' northeasternmost boundary is to Lake Michigan.
Illinois | |
|---|---|
| State of Illinois | |
 Seal | |
| Country | United States |
| Before statehood | Illinois Territory |
| Admitted to the Union | December 3, 1818 (21st) |
| Capital | Springfield |
| Largest city | Chicago |
| Largest metro and urban areas | Greater Chicago |
| Government | |
| • Governor | J. B. Pritzker (D) |
| • Lieutenant Governor | Juliana Stratton (D) |
| Legislature | Illinois General Assembly |
| • Upper house | Senate |
| • Lower house | House of Representatives |
| U.S. senators | Dick Durbin (D) Tammy Duckworth (D) |
| U.S. House delegation | 13 Democrats 5 Republicans (list) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 12,741,080 (2,018) |
| • Density | 232/sq mi (89.4/km2) |
| • Median household income | $58,321 (2,018) |
| • Income rank | 20th |
| Language | |
| • Official language | English |
| • Spoken language | English (80.8%) Spanish (14.9%) Other (5.1%) |
| USPS abbreviation | IL |
| Traditional abbreviation | Ill. |
| Latitude | 36° 58′ N to 42° 30′ N |
| Longitude | 87° 30′ W to 91° 31′ W |
| Illinois state symbols | |
|---|---|
 | |
| |
| Living insignia | |
| Amphibian | Eastern tiger salamander |
| Bird | Northern cardinal |
| Butterfly | Monarch butterfly |
| Fish | Bluegill |
| Flower | Violet |
| Grass | Big bluestem |
| Mammal | White-tailed deer |
| Reptile | Painted turtle |
| Tree | White oak |
| Inanimate insignia | |
| Dance | Square dance |
| Food | Gold Rush Apple, popcorn |
| Fossil | Tully monster |
| Mineral | Fluorite |
| Slogan | "Land of Lincoln" |
| Soil | Drummer silty clay loam |
| State route marker | |
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| State quarter | |
 Released in 2003 | |
| Lists of United States state symbols | |
Politics
Political climate In Illinois today
Most of Illinois outside of Chicago (its most populous city) is heavily conservative. In 2016, for example, nearly 40 counties in Illinois gave Trump 70% or more of the vote there. However, Chicago makes up over half of the state´s population, and Cook County (in which Chicago is located) gave Trump just 21% of the vote there. Therefore, the governor of Illinois is currently a Democrat, as are both its US Senators and over 70% of its representatives. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the state by 17%. In 2012, Barack Obama won the state by 17%. In 2008, Obama won the state by over 25%. Illinois has supported only Democratic candidates for president since 1992.
Historically voting Republican
Illinois used to vote Republican. In all the presidential elections between 1856 and 1892, it supported the Republican candidate.
Former swing state
Illinois was a swing state, but it isn't a swing state anymore. In all the presidential elections in which it has voted, it has supported the winner 82% of the time. Out of the last 5 presidential elections, however, it has supported the winner only 40% of the time.
History
The most prominent tribes in Illinois were the Illinois, Miami, Winnebago, Fox and Sacs (Sauk), Kickapoo, and Pottawatomie tribes. The Illinois Native Americans were composed of five subdivisions including Kaskaskias, Cahokias, Tamaroas, Peorias, and Metchigamis.
Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818. Illinois was the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the Constitution which helped abolish slavery in the United States.
Three U.S. presidents have been elected while living in Illinois: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Barack Obama. Additionally, Ronald Reagan, whose political career was based in California, was the only US president born and raised in Illinois.
Economy
Illinois has a diverse economy. Chicago is a major center for transportation and business. Central and northern Illinois is mostly used for agriculture. The south produces many natural resources such as coal, timber and petroleum.
Government
Illinois was once known to be a swing state (voted for either Democratic Party or the Republican Party). Today, Illinois is known to be a blue state, voting for the Democratic Party. The last time Illinois voted for a Republican president was in 1988 for George H.W. Bush.
J. B. Pritzker (D) is the current Governor of Illinois. It has two senators; Dick Durbin (D) and Tammy Duckworth (D).
Population
Illinois has the average population of 12,419,293 people since 2010. Most of the people living in Illinois live near the city of Chicago.
The top countries of origin for Illinois’ immigrants were Mexico (36 percent of immigrants), India (10 percent), Poland (7 percent), the Philippines (5 percent), and China (4 percent).
People from Illinois
Famous Illinoisans include:
- 16th President Abraham Lincoln
- 40th President Ronald Reagan
- 44th President Barack Obama
- Former First Lady Michelle Obama
- Former First Lady, Senator of New York, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
- Architect Frank Lloyd Wright
- Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley
- Former First Lady Betty Ford
- Actor Harrison Ford
- Movie critic Roger Ebert
- Animator Walt Disney
- Actress Betty White
- Social Worker Jane Addams
- Scout Wild Bill Hickok
- Comedian Jack Benny
- NBA player Dwyane Wade
State symbols
In Illinois, school children voted to select the state bird, state flower, and state tree. The state bird is the cardinal. The state flower of Illinois is the violet. The state tree is the white oak.
Illinois's seal has an eagle in a prairie. Across a river, behind the eagle is a rising sun. The eagle stands for the United States. The prairie reminds Illinoisans of their land. The two dates on the seal, 1818 and 1868, are the year that Illinois became a state and the year that the state seal was designed. The state flag includes the state seal.
Related pages
References
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