Illinois
/ˌɪləˈnɔɪ/
/ˌɪləˈnɔɪ/
- a state in the US Midwest, also called the Prairie State. Its largest city is Chicago and its capital city is Springfield. Manufacturing industry is important and the state produces coal, oil and agricultural products. Illinois became a state in 1818 and is associated with Abraham Lincoln, who was a lawyer in Springfield.