Illinois is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northeast, the Mississippi River to the west, and the Wabash and Ohio rivers to the south. Its capital is Springfield, and its largest city is Chicago, located in the northeast. Illinois is the sixth-most populous U.S. state and ranks among the largest economies in the country, with a highly diversified economy spanning manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and services.
Human habitation in the area dates back thousands of years to Indigenous cultures. French explorers and settlers arrived in the 17th century as part of New France, and the region later became part of the Northwest Territory. Illinois achieved statehood on 3 December 1818. In the 19th century, canals and railroads turned the state into a major transportation hub, while innovations such as John Deere’s steel plow helped make its prairie farmland exceptionally productive. Chicago grew rapidly into a major industrial and cultural center, and the state remains closely associated with the slogan “Land of Lincoln,” honoring Abraham Lincoln.
Illinois is home to major universities, including the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, and Northwestern University. Notable sites include the Cahokia Mounds and part of the Wright architecture World Heritage Site. The state has also been home to three U.S. presidents elected while residing there: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Barack Obama.