Illinois
"State Sovereignty, National Union"
Nickname
Prairie State
Capital
Springfield
Statehood
December 3, 1818 (21st)
Motto
State Sovereignty, National Union
Explore Illinois
18 of 18 articles available
Top mountains
Signature peaks and elevation highlights.
Best hikes
Trail ideas from day hikes to overnighters.
State parks
Must-see parks and natural areas.
Road trip loops
Weekend-friendly scenic drives.
Waterfronts
Lakes, rivers, and coastal stops to visit.
Waterfalls & springs
Cool-down spots and photogenic falls.
Scenic overlooks
Pull-offs and vistas for quick views.
Camping spots
Easy campgrounds and dispersed sites.
Historic towns
Main streets, museums, and landmarks.
Family weekends
Low-stress itineraries with kids in mind.
Top universities
Best-known universities and colleges.
Top biggest cities
Largest metros and fast-growing hubs.
Top places to visit
Must-see destinations and attractions.
Top high schools
High-performing public and private schools.
Top cities
Beloved cities for living and visiting.
Basic information
Quick facts, nickname, capital, and region.
Geography
Landscapes, neighbors, and natural regions.
Economy
Key industries, employers, and growth drivers.
About Illinois
Illinois is really two economies stacked on top of each other: Chicago's global financial and transportation hub in the north, and a vast agricultural interior of prairie and farmland stretching south from it. Few states show that urban-rural contrast as sharply within one set of borders.
The guides below start in Chicago and move outward, covering the cities, farmland, and history that make up the rest of Illinois beyond its best-known skyline.