Facts About Illinois Learning About US States in Special Ed

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Welcome to Illinois

If you are teaching about the US states, here are some facts about Illinois you may want to know.

Illinois is located in the midwestern United States. Illinois borders Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Kentucky. Springfield is the capital.

Let’s learn a little more about this great state. 

And be sure to scroll to the end to get a free set of Bingo cards for Illinois.

A brief history of Illinois

In 1818, Illinois became the 21st state to join the United States.

Illinois was named after the Illinois River, which got its name from a French explorer who named the river after the Native tribes who lived along it. The name means best people or tribe of superior men.

Initially, France claimed the area of Illinois.

Following the French and Indian War, the French gave up the area to the English in 1763, and Illinois became a British colony.

Illinois officially became a state in 1818.

From 1852-1854, waves of a deadly disease, Cholera, swept through the city of Chicago, killing more than 1600 people. People were getting sick and dying from drinking the polluted water from the Chicago River that was dumped into Lake Michigan (their primary source of drinking water).

Engineers were able to construct a way to make the Chicago River run in reverse. From 1892 to 1900, they built a series of dams and waterways that caused the Chicago River to run from, not to, Lake Michigan towards the Des Plaines River. Now, their primary source of drinking water was protected.

Also, during this time, one of the worst fires in US history occurred. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 started in a barn on October 8 and went on uncontrolled for two days. Afterward, one-third of the city was destroyed, leaving over 100,000 people homeless.

The city would quickly rebuild, becoming one of the biggest cities in the US.

The geography of Illinois

Illinois is one of the flattest states in the US and is bordered by several rivers.

The Mississippi River separates Illinois from Iowa and Missouri.

The Ohio River separates Illinois from Kentucky.

Also, the Wabash River partly separates Illinois from Indiana.

Finally, the highest point in Illinois is Charles Mound. It is only 1235 feet high and is located on private property. Several times a year, the area is open to hikers who want to explore the area. It is situated on the state’s northern edge at the Wisconsin border.

Illinois's resources and industries

Agriculture is an important industry in Illinois. A large part of the state is located in the country’s Corn Belt, and corn and soybeans are the two largest crops grown in this state.

Wheat, watermelon, and apples are other crops commonly grown here. In addition, Illinois grows many pumpkins.

Morton, Illinois, is considered the pumpkin capital of the world. More than 85% of packaged and processed pumpkins come from this state.

When it comes to industries, much of the state’s economy is dependent on Chicago.

Chicago is home to the headquarters of some of the country’s largest industries, including Boeing, Caterpillar, Kraft Heinz, McDonald’s, United Airlines, and Walgreens.

Fun places to visit in Illinois

If you plan to visit Illinois, there are some things you will want to know and make sure you get to see. There are some fantastic landscapes and a rich history to see.

If you visit Illinois, you will likely visit Chicago. This great city has a lot to see.

One of the most famous landmarks in Chicago is the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower. Until 2020, it was the tallest building in the US. Now, it is the third, and it is 110 stories tall. That is 1450 feet (taller than the highest natural point in the state, Charles Mound).

It opened in 1973. It took $150 million and three years to build. The name changed from the Sears Tower to the Willis Tower in 2009 when the London-based company leased much of the office space and was given naming rights as part of the deal.

Today, more than 1.7 million people visit every year and go up to the observation deck. From there, on a clear day, you can see four states: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Missouri.

Chicago’s Millennium Park is another favorite stop in this city. Here you will find the Cloud Gate, also called the Chicago Bean. It is a famous sculpture that was installed in 2006 as part of a design competition. It comprises 168 stainless steel plates welded together and supported by an interior wooden structure. It is a favorite photo spot.

There is more to Illinois than just Chicago, however. If you go to Springfield, you can visit Lincoln’s home. Illinois is commonly known as the Land of Lincoln. Lincoln lived in Illinois with his family for 31 years before becoming president.

You can visit where he lived with his family. You can see inside the home, walk around the neighborhood, and visit lots of historical sites, including an exhibit displaying facts and remnants from the Underground Railroad.

Finally, along the Mississippi River is the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Park in Collinsville. This 3.4-square-mile area has an amazing history. It is the site of likely the largest town from the 800s to the 1350s. Scientists have estimated that 10,000-20,000 people lived here then. You can see the grass mounds where it is believed the elite at the time would build their homes so they were above the other residents.

Fun facts about Illinois

Here are a few fun facts about Illinois. The Violet is the state flower, and the northern cardinal is the state bird.

Every year, on St. Patrick’s Day, residents in Chicago turn the river green. 100 pounds of environmentally friendly dye are dumped into the river. It has been a tradition since 1961.

The world’s largest public library is located in Chicago. It has over 2 million books.

The official snack food of Illinois is popcorn. Chicago has created its own special blend of cheese-coated kernels mixed with caramel-coated kernels.

The first Dairy Queen in the US opened in Joliet in 1940.

Finally, in Kaskaskia, you will find a 35-foot fire-breathing dragon! This dragon sits outside a hardware store and is made from metal. Built in 1995, it will breathe out smoke and fire if you put a token in the slot.

Illinois is a friendly state with much to see and a rich history. Next time you go on a trip, consider visiting this state and seeing what you can find.

To get a complete 2 week unit about Illinois that includes:

  • 2 PowerPoints
  • Vocabulary
  • Bingo cards
  • Daily Activities
  • Picture recipe: Deep Dish Pizza
  • Assessment

Then check out the complete unit below.

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