While Illinois has a rich history starting with the Mississippian Indians in 1300 A.D.,  and followed by the French explorers Marquette and Jolliet in 1673, the state really defines its past largely through President Abraham Lincoln.  If you visit the state, particularly along Route 66, you’ll find all kinds of Lincoln history.  You’ll find, among other places, his Presidential Library and Museum, the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln Log Cabin and even the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Museum.  Rather interestingly, that debate was a very heated run for U.S. Senate.  The seat vacated by Obama has also faced some high heat. 

One can’t talk about the past (or present for that matter) of Illinois without noting the part that politics has played in shaping the state.  As evidenced by the Lincoln-Douglas debates, of which the main debate was over slavery, Illinois has historically been a battleground between Republicans and Democrats.  In recent elections, it has become largely Democratic.  The state has voted Democratic in the last 5 elections and Obama won with nearly 61% of the vote.  The state is almost famous for its corrupt politics with recent convictions of Governors for racketeering, bribery and, most recently, corruption for trying to sell a Senate seat.

All that notwithstanding, the state has a healthy and diverse economy.  Its gross state product makes it 5^th in the nation.  The economy is based on manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, higher education and services.  The leading manufacturing industries are chemicals, food, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment and computer and electronic products.  Agriculturally, the leading exports are corn and soybeans.  In fact, the state is second in the nation of corn production and Illinois corn is used to produce 40% of the ethanol consumed in the U.S.  As to transportation, Chicago’s O’Hare Airport is one of the busiest in the world.  The state also has an extensive rail network and is a national Amtrak hub. In fact, the state is at the center of the national rail network.  The state has the most Interstates that pass through it of any in the nation.  The state also has the Port of Chicago, which connects the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River.  Education plays a part in the economy as it houses what are considered to be ten “National Universities.”  Three rank in the top 100 in the U.S.  Important services that contribute to the economy include financial services, publishing, petroleum and coal.

The income tax system consists of a flat 3% tax on federal adjusted gross income.  That is among the lowest among states that levy individual income tax.  The state’s state/local tax burden is 30^th in the nation.  The corporate tax is 7.3% on all corporate income which places it 24^th in the nation.  The sales tax is 6.25% which is above the national median of 5.4%.  The sales tax is applied to gasoline purchases.  State and local property taxes are levied with most at the local level.

Illinois is the 5^th most populous in the nation with nearly 13 million people.  It is often viewed as a microcosm of the U.S. and based on 21 demographic factors was named the most average state by the Associated Press.  The state is named for the French interpretation of an Algonquian Indian language word meaning “speaks normally”. 

The state has three major geographical regions.  The northern part, which is largely comprised of the Chicago metro area, is plains.  This area has roughly 66% of the state’s population.  Central Illinois is flat prairie and is characterized by agriculture and educational institutions.  Southern Illinois is somewhat warmer than the other two regions and has a more rugged topography and is where oil and coal deposits are found.  The state is considered to have a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters.  Normal annual snowfall is over 38 inches in the Chicago area with the southern part of the state receiving an average of 14 inches.  The state averages 50 thunderstorm days which puts it a little above average compared to other states.  The state also has its share of tornado activity with an average of 35 per year.

The racial distribution is 66% White American, 13% Hispanic, 15% African-American, 4% Asian and the rest classified as Other.  Nearly 30% of residents claim a German heritage.  Religiously, Catholics and Protestants are the largest religious groups.  Catholics account for 30% of the population.  The next two largest congregations of nearly equal size are the United Methodist Church and Southern Baptist Convention.

Recreationally, the state hosts almost any sport you prefer.  With the Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks and numerous other teams of all levels, sports will always be at your fingertips whether you like it or not.  To go right along with it, popcorn is the state’s official snack food thanks to a rambunctious class of third graders that lobbied the state’s legislature.

Illinois is an interesting state on many levels.  One thing about it, you probably wouldn’t ever be bored unless you wanted to be.  Get on our site at: www.activeadultliving.com and click on llinois to see all the wonderful active adult communities the state offers.