# Illinois

> state of the United States of America

**Wikidata**: [Q1204](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1204)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/illinois

## Summary
Illinois is a constituent political entity of the United States of America, officially admitted to the Union on December 3, 1818, and widely known as "The Land of Lincoln" and "The Prairie State." Located in the contiguous United States within the East North Central states division, it serves as a major hub for transportation, agriculture, and industry, featuring the capital city of Springfield and the global metropolis of Chicago. With a population exceeding 12.8 million, the state encompasses 102 counties, diverse geography ranging from the Great Lakes to the Ohio River, and a rich history of political, scientific, and cultural innovation.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** State of Illinois (also known as The Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State, Land of Lincoln, Prairie State, Lincoln State).
*   **Inception Date:** December 3, 1818 (admission to the Union).
*   **Predecessor Entity:** Illinois Territory (established January 1, 1809).
*   **Capital City:** Springfield (incorporated April 10, 1821; became capital February 3, 1840).
*   **Largest City:** Chicago (home to major institutions like the United Center, Shedd Aquarium, and Chicago Board of Trade Building).
*   **Population:** 12,830,632 (most recent recorded figure), with historical counts ranging from 5.6 million to 12.8 million.
*   **Geographic Coordinates:** Latitude 40.000277777777775, Longitude -89.25027777777778.
*   **Administrative Divisions:** Contains 102 counties, including Cook, Sangamon, DuPage, Lake, and Will.
*   **Major Rivers:** Illinois River, Mississippi River (western border), Ohio River (southern border), Wabash River, Kaskaskia River, Rock River, Des Plaines River, Calumet River, Fox River, and Little Wabash River.
*   **Official Website:** https://www.illinois.gov
*   **Primary Language:** English (specifically American English dialects).
*   **Geographic Context:** Part of the contiguous United States, the East North Central states, the Great Lakes region, and the Corn Belt.
*   **Notable Regions:** Chicago metropolitan area, Quad Cities (shared with Iowa), Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, Bloomington–Normal, Central Illinois, Southern Illinois, and the Shawnee National Forest.

## FAQs
**What is the historical timeline of Illinois's formation?**
The area was first organized as the Illinois Territory on January 1, 1809, separating from the Indiana Territory. It achieved statehood and was admitted to the Union on December 3, 1818, becoming the 21st state. Prior to statehood, the region was part of the Northwest Territory and the Indiana Territory.

**How is Illinois governed and represented politically?**
Illinois is divided into 102 counties, each with its own local government, and is represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by multiple congressional districts (numbered 1 through 19 in various historical and current configurations). The state's highest judicial body is the Illinois Supreme Court, and its law enforcement is managed by the Illinois State Police, established in 1922.

**What are the major transportation and infrastructure networks in the state?**
The state is a critical transportation hub featuring major Interstate Highways such as I-55, I-57, I-70, I-74, I-80, I-88, I-90, and I-290. It hosts numerous airports including O'Hare and Midway (implied by Chicago context), Quad Cities International Airport, and various municipal airports like Galesburg and Decatur. Rail transport is significant, with Amtrak routes like the *City of New Orleans*, *Empire Builder*, and *Lincoln Service* originating or terminating in Chicago.

**Which educational and scientific institutions are located in Illinois?**
The state is home to prestigious institutions such as the University of Illinois at Springfield (founded 1969), Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management (founded 1908), and the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. It also hosts major research facilities like Fermilab (established 1967) and the site of Chicago Pile-1, the world's first nuclear reactor.

**What cultural and entertainment landmarks define the state?**
Illinois features iconic sites like Millennium Park, the Crown Fountain, and the Chicago Picasso sculpture. It is a center for music and arts, hosting the Ravinia Festival and the Cornerstone Festival, and is the birthplace of bands like Fall Out Boy and Cheap Trick. The state also houses major theme parks like Six Flags Great America and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

## Why It Matters
Illinois is a cornerstone of the American economy and political landscape, serving as a primary gateway between the East and West coasts via its extensive highway and rail networks. As the home of Chicago, it functions as a global financial center, hosting the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade, which dictate commodity prices worldwide. The state's agricultural output, situated in the heart of the Corn Belt, is vital to national food security, while its industrial history, from the Union Stock Yards to modern manufacturing, has shaped American labor and urban development.

Scientifically, Illinois is a pioneer in nuclear energy and physics; the creation of Chicago Pile-1 marked the beginning of the atomic age, and Fermilab remains a leading center for high-energy particle physics. Culturally, the state has been a crucible for the blues, jazz, and rock music, influencing global entertainment trends. Its political significance is underscored by its role in the Civil War era, the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, and its continued status as a swing state with a diverse population that reflects the broader demographics of the United States.

## Notable For
*   **First Nuclear Reactor:** Site of Chicago Pile-1, the world's first artificial nuclear reactor to achieve criticality, part of the Manhattan Project.
*   **Lincoln's Legacy:** The "Land of Lincoln," where Abraham Lincoln practiced law, served in the state legislature, and launched his national political career; home to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
*   **Transportation Hub:** Hosts the busiest rail and air networks in the Midwest, including the Pere Marquette, *City of New Orleans*, and *Empire Builder* Amtrak routes.
*   **Financial Powerhouse:** Headquarters of major exchanges like the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade, central to global derivatives and commodity trading.
*   **Architectural Innovation:** Birthplace of the skyscraper, featuring landmarks like the Home Insurance Building (implied context of Chicago architecture), the Chicago Board of Trade Building, and modern marvels like the Aqua and the John Hancock Center (implied by context of Chicago skyline).
*   **Agricultural Dominance:** A leading producer in the Corn Belt, with vast farmlands contributing significantly to U.S. and global food supplies.
*   **Scientific Research:** Home to Fermilab and the Argonne National Laboratory (implied by nuclear context), driving advancements in physics and energy.
*   **Cultural Diversity:** A melting pot of cultures, reflected in neighborhoods like Chinatown, Pilsen, and the diverse religious institutions ranging from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to the Al-Sadiq Mosque.
*   **Entertainment Industry:** A major center for television production, hosting the Max Headroom broadcast signal intrusion incident and numerous film productions.
*   **Natural Wonders:** Contains the Shawnee National Forest and the unique geological feature of the Glasford crater.

## Body

### History and Political Evolution
Illinois traces its political origins to the Illinois Territory, established on January 1, 1809, which separated from the Indiana Territory. The territory was admitted to the Union as the 21st state on December 3, 1818. The capital was initially located in Kaskaskia before moving to Vandalia and finally to Springfield, which was incorporated on April 10, 1821, and officially designated as the capital on February 3, 1840. The state's history is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, who lived and worked in the state, leading to its nickname "The Land of Lincoln." The Illinois Supreme Court serves as the highest judicial authority in the state. Historically, the state has seen significant events such as the 1968 Illinois earthquake, the largest recorded in the state's history, and the Max Headroom broadcast signal intrusion in Chicago. The state also played a role in the Civil War, with Fort Armstrong established in 1816, and later saw the establishment of the Illinois State Police in 1922.

### Geography and Natural Features
Geographically, Illinois is situated in the contiguous United States, specifically within the East North Central states division. It is bordered by the Mississippi River to the west, the Ohio River to the south, and Lake Michigan to the northeast. The state is part of the Great Lakes region and the Corn Belt. Major rivers flowing through the state include the Illinois River, a tributary of the Mississippi; the Wabash River, a tributary of the Ohio; the Kaskaskia River; the Rock River; the Des Plaines River; the Calumet River; the Fox River; and the Little Wabash River. The state features diverse landscapes, from the Shawnee National Forest in the south to the flat prairies of the central region. Notable geological features include the Glasford crater, an impact crater, and the unique North Shore Channel canal. The state's coordinates are approximately 40.0003° N latitude and 89.2503° W longitude.

### Administrative Divisions and Counties
Illinois is divided into 102 counties, each with its own administrative structure. Prominent counties include Cook County, the most populous, which contains Chicago; Sangamon County, home to the capital Springfield; and DuPage County, a major suburban area. Other significant counties include Lake, Will, McHenry, Kane, and Winnebago. The state also contains various townships, such as Stone Fort Township in Saline County and DuBois Township in Washington County. The Quad Cities region spans the border with Iowa, including Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline in Illinois. The state is also part of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area.

### Cities, Towns, and Settlements
The state is home to a wide array of cities, towns, and villages. Chicago is the largest city and a global metropolis, hosting landmarks like the United Center, the Chicago Board of Trade Building, and the Shedd Aquarium. Springfield serves as the state capital. Other notable cities include Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Rockford, Peoria, and Champaign. The state also contains numerous smaller settlements such as Cuba, Shipman, Valmeyer, Stockton, and La Grange Park. Specific villages include Johnsburg, Phoenix, Oak Grove, and Hillside. Some settlements have unique histories, such as Valmeyer, which was rebuilt after a flood, and Cuba, which has a distinct local identity. The state also features census-designated places like Chestnut and Crab Orchard.

### Transportation and Infrastructure
Illinois boasts an extensive transportation network. Major Interstate Highways include I-39, I-55, I-57, I-70, I-74, I-80, I-88, I-90, I-24, I-255, I-280, and I-290. State highways such as Illinois Route 3, 9, 10, 14, 22, 33, 57, 84, 89, 99, 101, 104, 105, 107, 121, 150, 154, and 203 connect various regions. The state is a hub for rail transport, with Amtrak services like the *City of New Orleans*, *Empire Builder*, *Lincoln Service*, *Hiawatha*, *Wolverine*, *California Zephyr*, *Southwest Chief*, *Texas Eagle*, *Blue Water*, *Cardinal*, and *Pere Marquette*. Defunct railroads include the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad and the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company. Air travel is supported by numerous airports, including Quad Cities International Airport, Galesburg Municipal Airport, Decatur Airport, and various regional airports like Aurora Municipal and Waukegan Regional. Bridges such as the Martin Luther King Bridge, Clark Bridge, and Chain of Rocks Bridge facilitate cross-river travel.

### Economy and Industry
The economy of Illinois is diverse, spanning agriculture, manufacturing, finance, and technology. The state is a major agricultural producer, particularly in the Corn Belt. Financial services are centered in Chicago, home to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade. Manufacturing has a strong history, with companies like McDonald's (founded 1940) and Northern Trust (founded 1889) headquartered in the state. The technology sector includes Flexera and Methode Electronics. The state also has a significant presence in the energy sector, with the LaSalle County Nuclear Generating Station. Retail and consumer goods are represented by companies like Claire's and Rock N Roll McDonald's. The state's industrial history includes the Union Stock Yards and the defunct Steger & Sons Piano Manufacturing Company.

### Education and Research
Illinois is a leader in education and research. The University of Illinois at Springfield, founded in 1969, is a public university. Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, established in 1908, is a premier business school. The Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, founded in 1968, is a seminary and school of theology. The state also hosts the Illinois High School Association, representing high schools across the state. Research institutions include Fermilab, a high-energy particle physics laboratory established in 1967, and the site of Chicago Pile-1, the first nuclear reactor. The state is home to private institutions like North Park University (founded 1891) and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (founded 1896).

### Culture, Arts, and Entertainment
Illinois has a rich cultural heritage. The state is known for its music scene, with bands like Fall Out Boy, Cheap Trick, American Football, Mudvayne, and Lard originating there. The Ravinia Festival and the Cornerstone Festival are major music events. The state hosts the 2012 Ryder Cup and various professional wrestling events like Survivor Series (1989) and All Out (2019). Artistic landmarks include the Chicago Picasso, the Crown Fountain, and the Crown Fountain. The state is also home to the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Peoria Zoo. Museums include the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, and the Chicago Children's Museum. The state's literary and media landscape includes the Chicago Tribune (founded 1847) and the Pontiac Daily Leader.

### Government and Law
The state government is structured with an executive, legislative, and judicial branch. The Illinois State Police, established in 1922, is the primary law enforcement agency. The Illinois Supreme Court is the highest court in the state. The state is represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by multiple districts, including the 1st through 19th districts. The state's political history includes the Illinois Territory and the transition to statehood. The state also has a strong tradition of civic engagement, with organizations like the Billiard Congress of America and the Illinois High School Association playing active roles.

### Notable Events and Incidents
Illinois has been the site of significant historical events. The 1968 Illinois earthquake was the largest recorded in the state. The Max Headroom broadcast signal intrusion in Chicago is a famous media incident. The Northern Illinois University shooting in 2008 was a tragic school shooting. The state also experienced the Super Outbreak of tornadoes in April 1974. The 1983 Air Illinois Flight 710 accident is another notable aviation event. The state has also been the setting for the fictional Fox River State Penitentiary in the TV series *Prison Break*.

### Related Entities and Organizations
The state is connected to various organizations and entities. The Illinois Confederation was a group of Native American tribes. The Folk Nation is an alliance of street gangs originating from Chicago. The state is home to the American Football band, the Judas Iscariot band, and the Enuff Z'nuff band. The USS Illinois has been the name of several naval vessels, including a 2015 Virginia-class submarine and a cancelled Iowa-class battleship. The state also hosts the North-American Catalan Society and the Billiard Congress of America. The state's relationship with the contiguous United States and the East North Central states is significant in terms of geography and politics.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. Global LEI Index
3. [Source](https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/25/3820)
4. [Source](https://www2.illinois.gov/Pages/about/StateSong.aspx)
5. BnF authorities
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. FIPS 10-4
10. MusicBrainz
11. [2010 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0100000US%241600000&y=2010&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29)
12. [Population Estimates Program](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html)
13. [2020 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=0100000US,%241600000&y=2020)
14. [Source](https://www.flickr.com/places/info/2347572)
15. [Source](http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(crclotvx1nq5gp55re3x4b3o))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-2-201.pdf)
16. Geographic Names Information System
17. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables)
18. GeoNames
19. BBC Things
20. Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
21. [Source](https://www.illinois.gov)
22. [Source](https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/education/Pages/ILStateSymbols.aspx)
23. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
24. BabelNet
25. WikiUMLS: Aligning UMLS to Wikipedia via Cross-lingual Neural Ranking
26. United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts, 2000 Census of Population and Housing
27. [Source](https://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Tourism-g28934-Illinois-Vacations.html)
28. [Internetowa encyklopedia PWN](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Illinois;3914146.html)
29. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
30. Google Maps
31. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Income%20and%20Poverty&g=0100000US,%241600000&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1902)
32. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
33. ROR release v1.41
34. [Source](https://www.minimum-wage.org/wage-by-state)
35. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Illinois;3914146.html)
36. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
37. KBpedia
38. [Source](https://github.com/opencivicdata/ocd-division-ids/blob/1be9a1a8e83af5274515fca52cc7875d75174129/identifiers/country-us/states.csv)
39. museum-digital
40. [Source](https://entities.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39PBJgt3k8FThFDJMfjp8rpfq.html)