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Population12,719,141 (2025 U.S. Census estimate)
Discover • Explore • Connect
Discover Illinois from Chicago to the Mississippi
IllinoisIllinois brings together one of America’s great cities, historic Route 66 communities, river towns, fertile farmland, prairie landscapes, college towns, forests, lakes, and small communities with deep Midwestern roots. From Chicago and its suburbs to Springfield, Rockford, Peoria, the Metro East, southern Illinois, and towns across the state, Illinois offers a wide range of places to visit and call home. Explore local businesses, public resources, attractions, and community information while discovering the people and places that shape the Prairie State.
Illinois at a Glance
Population12,719,141 (2025 U.S. Census estimate).webp){kind=icon}
CapitalSpringfield.webp){kind=icon}
Largest CityChicago.webp){kind=icon}
Counties102 counties.webp){kind=icon}
Land Area55,519 sq mi.webp){kind=icon}
Water Area2,395 sq mi.webp){kind=icon}
Statehood1818.webp){kind=icon}
Highest PeakCharles Mound — 1,235 ft
Explore Illinois
Big Cities, River Towns, Prairie Country, and Historic Roads
Illinois stretches from Lake Michigan and the Chicago metropolitan area through broad agricultural regions to the Mississippi and Ohio river country of southern Illinois. Springfield is the state capital, Chicago is the largest city, and communities such as Rockford, Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal, Decatur, Quincy, and the Metro East add distinct regional identities. Major rivers, transportation corridors, universities, manufacturing centers, farms, forests, and historic towns all contribute to the state’s variety.
Illinois map: JCRules · CC BY-SA 4.0
Find Your County
Champaign CountyClark CountyColes CountyCumberland CountyDeKalb CountyEdgar CountyEffingham CountyFayette CountyFulton CountyHenderson CountyHenry CountyJasper CountyJefferson CountyJersey CountyKane CountyLake CountyLaSalle CountyLogan CountyMacon CountyMacoupin CountyMadison CountyMarshall CountyMcDonough CountyMcLean CountyPeoria CountySangamon CountyShelby CountyStark CountyWarren CountyWashington County
Start with the 30 Illinois county guides currently available below. Each guide brings together local businesses, county facts, public services and places to visit. Illinois has 102 counties statewide; this directory covers the counties listed here.
Featured Counties
Champaign CountyThe county was organized from Vermilion County in 1833. Rail connections and the establishment of the university helped shape its development. Today, Urbana remains…
Clark CountyCreated from Crawford County in 1819, the county once extended much farther north. Later county divisions brought it toward its present boundaries. Today, Marshall…
Coles CountyThe county was formed from Clark and Edgar counties in 1830 and named for Edward Coles, the second governor of Illinois. Today, Charleston remains…
Cumberland CountyThe county was created from Coles County in 1843. Its name recalls the Cumberland Road, another name for the National Road. Today, Toledo remains…
Discover More of Illinois
Champaign CountyThe county was organized from Vermilion County in 1833. Rail connections and the establishment of the university helped shape its development. Today, Urbana remains…
Clark CountyCreated from Crawford County in 1819, the county once extended much farther north. Later county divisions brought it toward its present boundaries. Today, Marshall…Coles CountyThe county was formed from Clark and Edgar counties in 1830 and named for Edward Coles, the second governor of Illinois. Today, Charleston remains…Cumberland CountyThe county was created from Coles County in 1843. Its name recalls the Cumberland Road, another name for the National Road. Today, Toledo remains…
THE ILLINOIS CONTRIBUTION
America, Made in Illinois
America runs on ideas, hard work and the freedom to build something new. Illinois has helped give those ideals their shape: Lincoln’s years in Springfield, farms that supply the nation, Chicago’s rail and river connections, and neighborhoods that changed the sound of American music. From prairie towns to city blocks, this is a state whose work travels far beyond its borders.
Follow that story at Lincoln Home, along Route 66, and through Chicago’s Bronzeville. Illinois is one of the places where America keeps becoming itself.
The Prairie State. A National Influence.
A Voice for the Nation
Springfield was Abraham Lincoln’s home before the White House. His Illinois years connect neighborhood life, public service and the larger American struggle over freedom and union.
Food, Freight & Everyday Life
Illinois farms are major producers of corn and soybeans. Its waterways, railways, roads and manufacturing communities connect the harvest and the workshop to markets across the country.
A Sound That Traveled
The Great Migration helped make Chicago a center of blues, jazz and gospel. Bronzeville’s artists, businesses and institutions shaped an American cultural legacy that reaches far beyond the city.
Ideas That Change What’s Possible
In 1942, a University of Chicago team achieved the first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. Illinois’ universities and research communities continue the state’s tradition of discovery.
The
Illinois Dispatch
Stories, updates, and useful information from communities across Illinois
Illinois News
Men’s Basketball Takes Down Northwestern 70-64 in Exhibition - Illinois State University Athletics - Illinois State University Athletics
Men’s Basketball Takes Down Northwestern 70-64 in Exhibition - Illinois State University Athletics Illinois State University Athletics
Read the full storyToday's CoveragePresented by
Around Illinois
Stories from every corner of Illinois.
Men’s Basketball Takes Down Northwestern 70-64 in Exhibition - Illinois State University Athletics - Illinois State University Athletics
Men’s Basketball Takes Down Northwestern 70-64 in Exhibition - Illinois State University Athletics Illinois State University Athletics
Oct 19, 2026 • External story
Oregon vs. Illinois Betting Odds Come With Warning Sign for the Ducks - Sports Illustrated
Oregon vs. Illinois Betting Odds Come With Warning Sign for the Ducks Sports Illustrated
Oct 19, 2026 • External story
Rapid Reaction: Northwestern collapses during second half in 70-64 exhibition loss to Illinois State - Yahoo Sports
Rapid Reaction: Northwestern collapses during second half in 70-64 exhibition loss to Illinois State Yahoo Sports
Oct 18, 2026 • External story
Ziebarth Scores as Indiana State Earns 1–1 Draw at Illinois State - Indiana State University Athletics
Ziebarth Scores as Indiana State Earns 1–1 Draw at Illinois State Indiana State University Athletics
Oct 18, 2026 • External story
Illinois Falls in Five Sets to Michigan - University of Illinois Athletics
Illinois Falls in Five Sets to Michigan University of Illinois Athletics
Oct 18, 2026 • External storyState Symbols & Heritage
Nickname State Motto State Bird State Flower State Tree State Animal
The Spirit and Symbols of Illinois
The symbols of Illinois reflect its landscape, history, and enduring character.
The Prairie State
Illinois is known as the Prairie State, a nickname tied to the vast grasslands that once covered much of the state's landscape.
State Sovereignty, National Union
Illinois' state motto appears on the Great Seal and reflects the relationship between state authority and membership in the United States.
Northern cardinal
The northern cardinal is Illinois' official state bird and a familiar year-round resident recognized by the male's bright red plumage.
Violet
The violet is Illinois' state flower and was first selected by schoolchildren in the early twentieth century.
White oak
The white oak is Illinois' official state tree and grows throughout the state, providing food and habitat for many wildlife species.
White-tailed deer — official state animal
The white-tailed deer is Illinois' official state animal and is found statewide in woodlands, fields, farmland edges, and other habitats.
A State Unlike Any Other
Illinois stands out for Chicago's global influence, rich agricultural land, major river systems, historic Route 66, Abraham Lincoln history, universities, architecture, manufacturing, transportation networks, and diverse local communities. The state ranges from Lake Michigan shoreline and dense metropolitan development in the northeast to prairie farmland, wooded river valleys, wetlands, and the hills and forests of southern Illinois.
My Local Guide
ILLINOIS
The Prairie StateFifty views of Illinois: skyline, shoreline, sandstone, prairie and the places in between.
Our State. Our Stories.★
ILLINOIS RESOURCES
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Useful Places to Start
Quick access to Illinois agencies, public services and community information.
Government
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois Government
State agencies, online services and public information.
Illinois Elections
Official voter and election information.
Secretary of State
Driver, vehicle, business and library services.
Your County
Local offices, community resources and county contacts.
Schools & Education
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois State Board of Education
Public-school, district and family resources.
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Colleges, universities and higher-education information.
Health
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois Department of Public Health
Public-health programs, records and statewide information.
Illinois Department of Human Services
State programs and services for individuals and families.
Public Safety
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois State Police
State police services and highway-safety information.
Local Public Safety
Find county and community public-safety resources.
Emergency Preparedness
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Ready Illinois
Preparedness, emergency management and recovery resources.
National Weather Service
Official forecasts, watches and warnings for your location.
Parks & Outdoors
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois State Parks
Find state parks, recreation areas and visitor information.
Shawnee National Forest
Southern Illinois forest destinations and recreation information.
Starved Rock
Canyon country and park visitor information.
Matthiessen
Dells, trails and park visitor information.
Trails
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois Parks Directory
Choose a park and check its official trail information.
Shawnee Trails & Recreation
Plan a forest outing using official destination information.
Utilities
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois Commerce Commission
Information about utilities under state jurisdiction.
Local Utility Contacts
Check your county and community resources for providers.
Libraries
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois State Library
Statewide library programs and information services.
Local Libraries
Find library information through the county guides.
Courts
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois Courts
Official court information and statewide resources.
Local Court Resources
Find county-specific court and clerk links.
Driver & Vehicle Services
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Driver Services
Official licensing, identification and driver-service information.
Secretary of State Services
Vehicle registration, titles and online services.
Transportation
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois Department of Transportation
Roads, construction, transit and travel information.
Amtrak
Passenger-train routes, schedules and tickets.
Postal Services
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
U.S. Postal Service
Postal locations, ZIP Codes, mailing and tracking tools.
Local Information
Check the county guide for community and location information.
Veterans
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois Veterans’ Affairs
State veterans programs and service information.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Federal veterans services and benefits information.
Employment
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Illinois Employment Security
Employment resources and labor-market information.
IllinoisJobLink
Search jobs and find workforce resources.
We're Here To Help.
Answers, contacts, and trusted local resources are always close at hand.
EXPLORE ILLINOIS
Good Questions. Real Illinois Answers.
Find a park, plan a road trip, explore a neighborhood or connect with a local business.
Build your trip around a region: Chicago and Lake Michigan for city attractions, Springfield for Lincoln history, the Illinois River valley for canyon country, or southern Illinois for forest scenery. Explore Illinois regions and destinations, then use our county guides for local businesses and resources.
Start with Starved Rock State Park and nearby Matthiessen State Park. Waterfall flow varies with rain and season. Check the park pages for trail conditions, closures and visitor information before heading out.
The Shawnee National Forest is a starting point for sandstone formations, woodland trails and recreation areas. Use the Forest Service’s destination information to plan a visit to Garden of the Gods and other forest sites.
Follow the Illinois stretch of the Mother Road from Chicago toward the Mississippi, leaving time for small-town main streets and roadside stops. Start with the National Park Service Route 66 guide and Enjoy Illinois for route ideas and current attractions.
Visit Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Use each site’s visitor information for tour arrangements, admission and current opening times.
Choose a mix of lakefront time, parks and museums. Choose Chicago’s family guide covers ideas including Navy Pier and museums, while its outdoor guide points to the lakefront and river. Check each attraction for tickets and accessibility.
Try the Illinois Great River Road itinerary for Mississippi River views and towns such as Galena and Grafton. Our Jersey County guide is another starting point for exploring the Grafton area.
Use the Illinois state parks directory to choose a destination, then follow that park’s reservation and visitor links. For federal destinations, check Recreation.gov. Campsite rules, access and seasonal availability vary by location.
Start with the Illinois Department of Transportation for road and construction information. For rail trips, use Amtrak to check routes and schedules. The weather panel above is a statewide reference; check a destination-specific forecast before your trip.
Choose one of our 30 county guides to see its local advertisers. Every statewide sponsor banner also opens that advertiser’s business page, with available contact details, services and advertisements. You can start with Peoria, Champaign or Lake County.
Your Journey Continues
Celebrating the places we call home.
Keep exploring the communities, stories, and local connections that make this state feel like home.
Celebrating the places we call home.