Interesting Facts about Illinois

Illinois is home to the world’s first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building.

The state bird of Illinois is the Northern Cardinal.

Illinois is known as the Land of Lincoln, as it is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.

Chicago, the largest city in Illinois, has the largest public library in the world.

The famous Route 66 begins in Chicago.

Illinois is the leading producer of pumpkins in the United States.

The first Ferris wheel was invented in Chicago for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

Illinois has more than 400 miles of navigable waterways.

The state’s official slogan is Land of Lincoln, Pride of the Prairie.

Illinois is home to the largest single-site brewery in the world, the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Baldwinsville.

The world’s first aquarium was built in Chicago.

The Illinois State Fair is one of the oldest state fairs in the United States.

Illinois is the largest producer of soybeans and corn in the United States.

The official state dance of Illinois is square dancing.

The world’s largest bottle of catsup is located in Collinsville, Illinois.

The first McDonald’s restaurant was opened in Des Plaines, Illinois.

The Illinois State flower is the violet.

It is illegal to fish while sitting on a giraffe’s neck in Chicago.

The first blood bank in the United States was established in Chicago.

The Chicago River is dyed green every year for St. Patrick’s Day.

The top three amusement parks in Illinois are Six Flags Great America, Brookfield Zoo, and Navy Pier.

Illinois is home to the famous Willis Tower, once the tallest building in the world.

Chicago is known as the Windy City, but the nickname actually refers to its politicians, not the weather.

The Chicago River is the only river in the world that flows backwards due to a successful engineering project.

Illinois has the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States.

The world’s biggest public library collection is in the University of Illinois’ library system.

The state’s official reptile is the Eastern Box Turtle.

The Illinois flag features a bald eagle with a banner reading State Sovereignty, National Union.

The world’s largest horseshoe pitch is located in Illinois.

Illinois has more highway miles than any other state in the United States.

Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb in Springfield is the final resting place of President Lincoln.

Illinois has more Big Ten universities than any other state in the United States.

The Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield is taller than the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

The state insect of Illinois is the monarch butterfly.

The world’s largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture is located in Oak Park, Illinois.

Illinois was the first state in the United States to abolish the death penalty in 20

The official state fossil of Illinois is the Tully Monster.

The state song of Illinois is Illinois.

The Illinois State Library is the oldest state library in the United States.

The first skyscraper with a steel frame, the Montgomery Ward Building, was built in Chicago.

Illinois is home to the Chicago Cubs, one of the most beloved baseball teams in the United States.

The Illinois State Museum is one of the oldest museums in the United States.

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world.

The official state animal of Illinois is the white-tailed deer.

Illinois has more museums and cultural institutions than any other state in the United States.