Date Admitted to the Union:
December 3, 1818 - Illinois was the 21st state.
Illinois State Capital:
Springfield
State Nickname:
Prairie State
State Motto:
State Sovereignty, National Union
Illinois State Bird:
Cardinal
Illinois State Flower:
Illinois Native Violet
Illinois State Tree:
White Oak
Cities With Population Over 100,000:
- Chicago
- Aurora
- Rockford
- Naperville
- Joliet
- Springfield
- Peoria
Ten Famous People From Illinois :
- Jane Addams, Founder of Hull House
- Jack Benny, Comedian
- William Jennings Bryan, Politician
- Hillary Rodham Clinton, Politician
- Wild Bill Hickock, Western Lawmen
- Bob Newhart, Comedian
- Ronald Reagan, 40th President
- Carl Sandburg, Historian
- William Shirer, Historian
- Oprah Winfrey, Talk Show Host
