Our great state is known for many different wonders. From famous towns to famous people, there are a plethora of things that make Illinois a top-notch place to live and call home.
You’ll definitely fall in love with The Prairie State once you learn about all our best features. Keep scrolling for all the details.
- Corn
Max Pixel As 85 percent of the state is covered in fields, it’s no wonder that we are known as one of the corn states. Most drives through the state are filled with these tall stalks during the summer and early fall, sometimes forming a kind of wall. The rest of the year leaves fields of tilled soil as far as the eye can see.
- Pumpkins
Pixabay/utroja0 Illinois is the canned pumpkin capitol of the world, specifically the town of Morton. Just east of Peoria, this amazing town produces 85 percent of the world’s canned pumpkin. Without us, Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be the same.
- Chicago
Flickr/Pedro Szekely As much as some of us hate to admit it, one of the main things that puts Illinois on the map is the city of Chicago. With about three million residents, the city is also full of many attractions, natural wonders, and excellent food options that are known around the world.
- Metropolis
Flickr/Alan Light On the other hand, if you head to the opposite end of the state, you’ll find the town Superman is from. Situated along the Ohio River, this lovely place is full of memorabilia from the franchise in the form of statues and museums.
- Trains
Wikimedia Commons/vxla Illinois is known as the land of trains. In Chicago alone, services involving Metra, South Shore Line, CTA, and Amtrak are available. Of course there are even more noncommuter lines that run throughout the state like Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and Kansas City Southern.
- Colleges
Wikimedia Commons/Mark Jaroski From Northwestern University to the University of Southern Illinois, top-notch universities can be found in just about every region of the state. We are known for producing some of the best engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs in the world.
- Famous people
Wikimedia Commons/Julio Enriquez Illinois has been home to many celebrities. Chance the Rapper, Harrison Ford, Robin Williams, Walt Disney, and many more are Illinois natives.
- Presidents
Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore Though we’ve only produced a few of these top politicians, ours have been some of the most influential. We started by giving the world Abraham Lincoln and, most recently, have been (partly) responsible for Barack Obama. Ulysses S. Grant is on the list too.
- Sports
Wikimedia Commons/David Kindler Many people in and outside the state love Illinois for its amazing sports teams. We’ve got the Bulls, the Bears, the Cubs, the White Sox, the Blackhawks, and many many others. Both professional and college level are popular here.
- Farmland
Wikimedia Commons/Stangboy7 As previously mentioned, the majority of Illinois is covered in farms and fields. In addition to pumpkins and corn, we also produce wind power, soy, and a plethora of other small crops that feed locals far and wide.
- Nuclear Power
Wikimedia Commons/Bill Tracey Illinois is home to more nuclear power plants than any other state. It creates many jobs and gives us all the evidence we need to prove that the Springfield in The Simpsons is actually the one in Illinois.
- The First McDonald’s
Flickr/Jerry Huddleston Located just outside Chicago in the suburb of Des Plaines sits a replica of the first McDonald’s that ever existed. It is built in the same spot as the original but is now a museum with a modern McDonald’s nearby.
- Route 66
Pixabay/Steppinstars Beginning in Chicago and leaving the state near St. Louis, this famous roadway is popular for its many attractions and length. It stretches all the way to California and has been traveled by thousands of adventure seekers over the years.
- First to ratify the 13th Amendment
Wikipedia/Marx01 On February 1, 1865, Illinois showed its progressive nature by abolishing slavery in the state the day after the Federal government allowed it to happen. Possibly due to our pride in Lincoln, the state was eager to be rid of this horrendous act.
- Personalized license plates
Wikimedia Commons/Lieutenant Ramathorn One of the first things you notice when visiting the state is that almost everyone seems to have a customized license plate. We like to display our personality on our vehicles here.
- Largest catsup bottle
Wikimedia Commons/Tristan Denyer Located in Collinsville, near St. Louis, this roadside attraction is actually a water tower. Some stumble across this unique find and never forget it while others seek it out to witness the oddity.
Learn more about this fabulous state with 10 shocking facts that may make you want to move to Illinois.
Max Pixel
As 85 percent of the state is covered in fields, it’s no wonder that we are known as one of the corn states. Most drives through the state are filled with these tall stalks during the summer and early fall, sometimes forming a kind of wall. The rest of the year leaves fields of tilled soil as far as the eye can see.
Pixabay/utroja0
Illinois is the canned pumpkin capitol of the world, specifically the town of Morton. Just east of Peoria, this amazing town produces 85 percent of the world’s canned pumpkin. Without us, Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be the same.
Flickr/Pedro Szekely
As much as some of us hate to admit it, one of the main things that puts Illinois on the map is the city of Chicago. With about three million residents, the city is also full of many attractions, natural wonders, and excellent food options that are known around the world.
Flickr/Alan Light
On the other hand, if you head to the opposite end of the state, you’ll find the town Superman is from. Situated along the Ohio River, this lovely place is full of memorabilia from the franchise in the form of statues and museums.
Wikimedia Commons/vxla
Illinois is known as the land of trains. In Chicago alone, services involving Metra, South Shore Line, CTA, and Amtrak are available. Of course there are even more noncommuter lines that run throughout the state like Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and Kansas City Southern.
Wikimedia Commons/Mark Jaroski
From Northwestern University to the University of Southern Illinois, top-notch universities can be found in just about every region of the state. We are known for producing some of the best engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs in the world.
Wikimedia Commons/Julio Enriquez
Illinois has been home to many celebrities. Chance the Rapper, Harrison Ford, Robin Williams, Walt Disney, and many more are Illinois natives.
Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore
Though we’ve only produced a few of these top politicians, ours have been some of the most influential. We started by giving the world Abraham Lincoln and, most recently, have been (partly) responsible for Barack Obama. Ulysses S. Grant is on the list too.
Wikimedia Commons/David Kindler
Many people in and outside the state love Illinois for its amazing sports teams. We’ve got the Bulls, the Bears, the Cubs, the White Sox, the Blackhawks, and many many others. Both professional and college level are popular here.
Wikimedia Commons/Stangboy7
As previously mentioned, the majority of Illinois is covered in farms and fields. In addition to pumpkins and corn, we also produce wind power, soy, and a plethora of other small crops that feed locals far and wide.
Wikimedia Commons/Bill Tracey
Illinois is home to more nuclear power plants than any other state. It creates many jobs and gives us all the evidence we need to prove that the Springfield in The Simpsons is actually the one in Illinois.
Flickr/Jerry Huddleston
Located just outside Chicago in the suburb of Des Plaines sits a replica of the first McDonald’s that ever existed. It is built in the same spot as the original but is now a museum with a modern McDonald’s nearby.
Pixabay/Steppinstars
Beginning in Chicago and leaving the state near St. Louis, this famous roadway is popular for its many attractions and length. It stretches all the way to California and has been traveled by thousands of adventure seekers over the years.
Wikipedia/Marx01
On February 1, 1865, Illinois showed its progressive nature by abolishing slavery in the state the day after the Federal government allowed it to happen. Possibly due to our pride in Lincoln, the state was eager to be rid of this horrendous act.
Wikimedia Commons/Lieutenant Ramathorn
One of the first things you notice when visiting the state is that almost everyone seems to have a customized license plate. We like to display our personality on our vehicles here.
Wikimedia Commons/Tristan Denyer
Located in Collinsville, near St. Louis, this roadside attraction is actually a water tower. Some stumble across this unique find and never forget it while others seek it out to witness the oddity.
What else is Illinois known for? Share your thoughts with us below!
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