Capital: Springfield State abbreviation/Postal code: Ill./IL Governor: Rod R. Blagojevich, D (to Jan. 2011) Lieut. Governor: Patrick Quinn, D (to Jan. 2011) Senators: Richard J. Durbin, D (to Jan. 2009); Barack Obama, D (to Jan. 2011) U.S. Representatives: 19 Historical biographies of Congressional members Atty. General: Lisa Madigan, D (to Jan. 2011) Secy. of State: Jesse White, D (to Jan. 2011) Treasurer: Alexander Giannoulias, D (to Jan. 2011) Organized as territory: Feb. 3, 1809 Entered Union (rank): Dec. 3, 1818 (21) Present constitution adopted: 1970 Motto: State sovereignty, national union State symbols: | flower | violet (1908) | | tree | white oak (1973) | | bird | cardinal (1929) | | animal | white-tailed deer (1982) | | fish | bluegill (1987) | | insect | monarch butterfly (1975) | | song | “Illinois” (1925) | | mineral | fluorite (1965) |
Nickname: Prairie State Origin of name: Algonquin for “tribe of superior men” 10 largest cities (2005 est.): Chicago, 2,842,518; Aurora, 168,181; Rockford, 152,916; Naperville, 141,579; Joliet, 136,208; Springfield, 115,668; Peoria, 112,685; Elgin, 98,645; Waukegan, 91,396; Cicero, 82,741 Land area: 55,584 sq mi. (143,963 sq km) Geographic center: In Logan Co., 28 mi. NE of Springfield Number of counties: 102 Largest county by population and area: Cook, 5,303,683 (2005); McLean, 1,184 sq mi. Public use areas: 186 (275,000 ac.), incl. state parks, memorials, forests and conservation areas Residents: Illinoisan 2005 resident population est.: 12,763,371 2000 resident census population (rank): 12,419,293 (5). Male: 6,080,336 (49.0%); Female: 6,338,957 (51.0%). White: 9,125,471 (73.5%); Black: 1,876,875 (15.1%); American Indian: 31,006 (0.2%); Asian: 423,603 (3.4%); Other race: 722,712 (5.8%); Two or more races: 235,016 (1.9%); Hispanic/Latino: 1,530,262 (12.3%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 73.9; 65 and over: 12.1; median age: 34.7. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office |
