Illinois (pop: 12,763,371) is located in the heart of the Midwest and is well known for its large and diverse population. Its highly diverse economic base, and its central location has made it a transportation hub for 150 years and the mixture of factory and farm, of urban and rural makes Illinois a microcosm of the nation.

At the northern edge of the state on Lake Michigan lies Chicago, the nation's third largest city. The whole metropolitan area around Chicago is referred to as Chicagoland and it is the leading industrial and transportation center. Other cities include: Aurora, the largest suburb of Chicago and second largest city in Illinois. Rockford, the third largest city in Illinois, Naperville, a Chicago suburb and fourth largest city in the state. Elgin, a suburb northwest of Chicago. Joliet, a suburb southwest of Chicago. Peoria, the largest city on the Illinois river and Springfield, the state capital of Illinois

Illinois' agricultural outputs are corn, soybeans, hogs, cattle, dairy products, and wheat. Its industrial outputs are machinery, food processing, electrical equipment, chemical products, publishing, fabricated metal products, transportation equipment, petroleum and coal.

• Chicago
• Aurora
• Rockford
• Naperville
• Elgin
• Joliet
• Peoria
• Springfield