Illinois

Illinois, known as the Land of Lincoln and the Prairie State, became the 21st state of the Union on December 3, 1818. Located in the heart of the Midwest, Illinois is bordered by Lake Michigan to the northeast and the Mississippi River to the west, giving it a unique geographic and economic position in the nation.

Chicago, the state's largest city and the third-largest in the United States, is a world-class center of finance, culture, architecture, and transportation. Beyond Chicago, Illinois boasts a rich tapestry of small towns, farmland, and historic sites deeply connected to the American story.

2026 marks the end of America's first 250 years — and Illinois stands proud as the state that shaped Abraham Lincoln, the president who held the nation together during its greatest crisis. As 2027 begins, the next chapter opens for every American. Illinois carries that legacy forward into the next 250 years.