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Illinois: State Flag, Bird and Facts

Illinois has the northern cardinal as its state bird and the violet as its state flower.

Capital
Springfield
Nickname
Prairie State; Land of Lincoln
State bird
Northern cardinal
State flower
Violet
State tree
White oak
Admitted
December 3, 1818
Population
12,812,508 (2020 census)
Motto
State sovereignty, national union
Region
Midwest
Area
149,998 km² (57,915 sq mi)
Highest point
Charles Mound (1,235 ft)

About Illinois

Lake Michigan forms the northeast edge of Illinois, the Mississippi River runs along the west, and the Wabash and Ohio rivers cut across the south. Springfield, in the middle of the state, is the capital, while Chicago in the northeast is the largest city. French settlers were the first Europeans here, settling by the Mississippi and Illinois rivers during the 17th century. Statehood followed in 1818.

John Deere, an Illinois inventor, created a self-scouring steel plow that turned the prairie into highly productive farmland, drawing farmers from Germany, Sweden and Hungary. The flag uses the main parts of the state seal on a white background: a bald eagle standing on a rock, wings raised, holding a shield and a banner in its beak, with the sun rising over water behind it. The word Illinois was added in 1970.

Did you know?

  • Charles Mound is the highest point in Illinois at 1,235 feet.
  • Illinois license plates use the nickname Land of Lincoln.
  • Illinois ranks sixth among states in population and fifth in economic output.

Questions about Illinois

What does the Illinois flag look like?

It shows a bald eagle on a rock holding a shield and a banner, with a sunrise over water, all on a white field. The state name appears below.

What is the capital of Illinois?

Springfield is the capital. Chicago is the largest city.

Other Midwest states

Sources

Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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