| State Abbreviation |
IL |
| Statehood |
December 3, 1818 |
| State Capital |
Springfield |
| Number of Counties |
102 |
| State Population (2005) | 12,763,371 |
| State Quarter Issue Date |
January 2, 2003 |
| State Flower |
Violet |
| Nickname |
Prairie State |
| State Flag |
 |
| Area Codes |
217, 224, 282, 309, 312, 331, 464, 618, 630, 708, 773, 815, 847, 872 |
| Top 5 Cities (2000 population) |
| Chicago | 2,896,016 |
| Rockford | 150,115 |
| Aurora | 142,990 |
| Naperville | 128,358 |
| Peoria | 112,936 |
|
| Major Sports Teams |
MLB: Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox
NFL: Chicago Bears
NBA: Chicago Bulls
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks
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