Joey Saves The Day!: Facts about Illinois

Illinois Facts

Learn facts about Illinois for kids.

What do you know about Illinois? Are you ready to learn some astonishing facts about Illinois? Joey and Jinger love learning facts about the different states. They would like to share some of those cool facts with you! I will be posting facts about each of the fifty states in the United States. The states will be done in alphabetical order! Last week, we posted facts about Idaho. This week, we are posting cool facts about Illinois. You will learn about Illinois' flag, bird, and other state facts.

Did you know that Illinois was the 21^ststate to join the union? Yes, that is correct! Illinois officially joined the union on December 13, 1818! Illinois is located in the Midwestern region of the United States. Illinois is bordered by five (5) states: Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Lake Michigan borders Illinois on the east upper side of the state. Illinois is the twenty-fifth (25^th) largest state in the United States. Illinois is one of the bigger states. About 12,671,460 people are living in Illinois. Did you know that Walter Elias Disney, also known as Walt Disney, was born in Chicago, Illinois?

Tell us a fantastic, fun fact about the state you reside in?

Facts about Illinois:

1. Illinois is known for its wetlands, farmlands, and the Willis Tower, formally known as the Sears Tower. The nicknames for Illinois are The Prairie State, the Land of Lincoln, and the Corn State. The Prairie State is Illinois’s official nickname. The Prairie State became Illinois’ official nickname sometime in 1842 or before. The Illinois state motto is State Sovereignty, National Union. The motto appears on the Illinois state flag. The abbreviation for Illinois is IL.

2. Springfield is the capital of Illinois. It officially became the capital sometime in 1839 and had a population of around 115,075.

3. The Illinois state bird is the northern cardinal, which was chosen as the state bird in 1929. The Illinois male northern cardinal is a beautiful bright red color with some black around its beak and on its wings. The female northern cardinal is light pale brown grayish in color with some light red color on its wings, head, and tail.

4. The Illinois official state flower is the Viola sororia, also known as the Common blue violet. It can be found growing throughout the state and starts blooming during the spring months. They are very beautiful flowers!! The Illinois Viola sororia became Illinois’ official state flower in 1907.

5. Illinois's first flag was used on July 6, 1915. The flag has been modified over the years. The thirteen white stars on the Illinois state flag represent the original thirteen colonies.

6. Corn, oats, soybeans, and wheat are some crops grown in Illinois.

7. Some places to visit in Illinois are Starved Rock State Park, the Willis Tower Skydeck, and the Navy Pier.

8. Some of the animals that live in Illinois are deer, gophers, pygmy shrews, prairie voles, squirrels, and long-tailed weasels.

9. Illinois can get very hot and cold depending on the time of year. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Illinois was 117 degrees Fahrenheit in East St. Louis on July 14, 1954. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Illinois was -36 degrees (36 degrees below zero) Fahrenheit in Congerville on January 5, 1999.

Share a fact about Illinois with us?