Illinois

State of Illinois


French explorers [|Jacques Marquette] and [|Louis Joliet], in 1673, were the first Europeans of record to visit the region. In 1699 French settlers established the first permanent settlement at [|Cahokia], near present-day East St. Louis. Great Britain obtained the region at the end of the [|French and Indian Wars] in 1763. The area figured prominently in frontier struggles during the [|Revolutionary War] and in Indian wars during the early 19th century. Significant episodes in the state's early history include the influx of settlers following the opening of the [|Erie Canal] in 1825; the [|Black Hawk War], which virtually ended the Indian troubles in the area; and the rise of [|Abraham Lincoln] from farm laborer to president. Today, Illinois stands high in manufacturing, coal mining, agriculture, and oil production. The state's manufactures include food and agricultural products, transportation equipment, chemicals, industrial machinery, and computer equipment. The sprawling Chicago district (including a slice of Indiana) is a great iron and steel producer, meat packer, grain exchange, and railroad center. [|Chicago] is also famous as a [|Great Lakes] port. Illinois is a leading producer of soybeans, corn, and hogs. Other agricultural commodities include cattle, wheat, oats, sorghum, and hay. Central Illinois is noted for shrines and memorials associated with the life of [|Abraham Lincoln]. In [|Springfield] are the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln Tomb, and the restored Old State Capitol. Other points of interest are the home of Mormon leader [|Joseph Smith] in Nauvoo and, in Chicago: the [|Art Institute], [|Field Museum], Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Merchandise Mart, and Chicago Portage National Historic Site.

Believe it or not, the number one tourist attraction in the state is a shopping mall! [|Woodfield] Mall is located in Schaumburg, 50 miles outside of Chicago.

[|Park Ridge], Illinois, is the childhood home of Hillary Rodham-Clinton, the first woman to run for the office of the U.S. presidency. During her teens, Hillary participated in community theatre productions under the direction of James Downing. Throughout her years as the First Lady, Hillary remembered her long-time friend with an official White House Christmas card.

Chicago's Mayor Richard Daley is making a strong bid for Chicago to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. What are your opinions about this?

As in the movie //Smokey and the Bandit//, "there's a long way to go and a short time to get there."