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 Illinois Facts and Trivia
Many symbols of Illinois can be found in our Illinois coloring pages section. This includes state map outlines, the flag, state flower, famous landmarks, state animals and other symbols of the region. These printables make a great resource for student reports.
Check out the Illinois Unit of Study for all coloring pages, information, interactive puzzles, word jumbles, word searches, worksheets, and thematic book reviews. We even included a state quarter observation sheet! |
 State Name: Illinois |
| State Nickname: The Prairie State |
| State Capital: Springfield |
| State Governor: Pat Quinn |
| State Abbreviation: Ill. |
| 2 letter Postal Code: IL |
| Area: 56,400 square miles |
| Date Entered the Union: Dec. 3, 1818 |
| State #: 21 |
| Borders: Wisconsin, Lake Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi River, Iowa, Ohio River |
 Flag Meaning: The state seal is centered on a white field with gold trim. In the seal, an eagle clutches a shield with stars and stripes that represents the original 13 colonies. The olive branch symbolizes peace. The plains of Illinois are represented by the prairie and rising sun. The dates on the rock is when Illinois was admitted to the Union (1818) and when the seal was adopted (1868). The flag was adopted in 1915. |
| Number of U.S. Representatives: 19 |
| State Motto: State sovereignty, national union |
| State Flower: Native Violet |
| State Bird: Cardinal |
| State Song: "Illinois" |
| State Tree: Bur Oak |
| State Mammal: White-tailed Deer |
| State Reptile: Painted Turtle |
| State Fish: Bluegill |
| 10 Largest Cities (in order of size): Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Naperville, Joliet, Springfield, Peoria, Elgin, Waukegan, Cicero |
Famous Residents:
- Jack Benny, comedian
- Ray Bradbury, writer
- Jimmy Connors, tennis player
- Walt Disney, film animator and producer
- Benny Goodman, musician
- Ernest Hemingway, author
- Charlton Heston, actor
- Wild Bill Hickok, cowboy
- Rock Hudson, actor
- William Holden, actor
- Burl Ives, singer
- Quincy Jones, composer
- Bill Murray, actor
- Bob Newhart, comedian
- Richard Pryor, comedian
- Ronald Reagan, president
- Carl Sandburg, poet
- McLean Stevenson, actor
- Gloria Swanson, actress
- Raquel Welch, actress
- Oprah Winfrey, television talk show host |
| Attractions: Lincoln home and tomb, Bishop Hill, Black Hawk Statue, Brookfield Zoo, Dickson Mounds, Nauvoo, Ulysses S. Grant Home, Vandalia Court House |
| Agriculture: corn, hogs, cattle, soybeans, dairy, chicken, wine |
| Industries: machinery, food processing, printing and publishing, fishing, chemicals, manufacturing |
| Natural Resources: bituminous (soft coal), cement, petroleum, sand and gravel, stone, iron |
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