Quick Facts (Adapted from the New Ben’s Guide to Government)
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| Capital City: | Springfield |
| Nickname: | Land of Lincoln / Prairie State |
| Motto: | State sovereignty, national union. |
| Statehood: | December 3, 1818 (21st) |
| Origin of State’s Name: | French version of an Algonquin Indian for “warriors” |
| Largest Cities: | Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, Springfield, Peoria |
| Border States: | Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin |
| Land Area: | 55,593 sq. mi.; 24th largest |
| State Bird: | Cardinal |
| State Flower: | Native Violet (viola) |
| State Tree: | White Oak (quercus alba) |
| State Song: | Illinois |
| E-mail your Congressperson: | U.S. House: 111th Congress U.S. Senate: 111th Congress Or look up your Congressperson in the Congressional Directory database! |
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
