State capital: Springfield
Entered Union: Dec. 3, 1818
Population: 12,713,634 (2004 estimate)
Area 55,584 sq mi. (143,963 sq km)
Governor: Rod R. Blagojevich (Democrat)
U.S. Representatives: 19
State nickname: Prairie State

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Venues For Official Inaugural Balls Announced

Venues For Official Inaugural Balls Announced President-elect Barack Obama will host a Youth Inaugural Ball, five Regional Inaugural balls, and a ball for his Home States - Illinois and Hawaii.

' target='_blank'> Ill. impeachment panel may end without FBI tapes

Ill. impeachment panel may end without FBI tapes Members of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment panel say they will move forward despite the possibility that they might not get to hear federal wiretaps of the governor's conversations with aides and others.

Illinois prison nurses mulling strike

Illinois prison nurses mulling strike Unionized health-care workers at 27 Illinois prisons are mulling whether to go on strike over wages.

Gov. Tim Kaine said Monday he will manage a Virginia budget crisis $3 billion and growing and head the Democratic National Committee in his spare time, largely as "an electronic gig." Kaine said Obama made a ...
' target='_blank'> Kaine says he'll limit time spent as party leader

Kaine says he'll limit time spent as party leader Gov. Tim Kaine said Monday he will manage a Virginia budget crisis $3 billion and growing and head the Democratic National Committee in his spare time, largely as "an electronic gig." Kaine said Obama made a ...

Pontiac Prison Closure Hearing On Hold Indefinitely

Pontiac Prison Closure Hearing On Hold Indefinitely A hearing in a lawsuit that seeks to stop the state from closing a central Illinois prison has been delayed indefinitely, and the lockup could remain open for some time.

A judge has ordered an Illinois prison inmate who killed his cellmate - after allegedly warning guards he would harm the man - to pay $13 million to the dead inmate's estate and his mother.
' target='_blank'> Ill. mother wins suit over son's prison killing

Ill. mother wins suit over son's prison killing A judge has ordered an Illinois prison inmate who killed his cellmate - after allegedly warning guards he would harm the man - to pay $13 million to the dead inmate's estate and his mother.

More Help For Low-Income Heating Assistance

More Help For Low-Income Heating Assistance Required fields are marked with an asterisk The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications.

The idea of a white government official standing at the entrance of any door at any building blocking the entrance of any Black person invokes some of the ugliest moments in American history.
' target='_blank'> How low can Illinois sink? We haven't even gotten close

How low can Illinois sink? We haven't even gotten close The idea of a white government official standing at the entrance of any door at any building blocking the entrance of any Black person invokes some of the ugliest moments in American history.

Warm words of support and prayers for Roland Burris contrasted with the frigid reactions from Senate leaders, many of whom say his appointment by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is so badly stained that Burris shouldn't be seated when the new Congress convenes this week.
' target='_blank'> Supporters rally behind Blagojevich pick, Burris

Supporters rally behind Blagojevich pick, Burris Just days before a high-stakes showdown in the nation's capital, the man selected to take President-elect Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat sought spiritual and political support on Sunday at a South Side Chicago church.Warm words of support and prayers for Roland Burris contrasted with the frigid reactions from Senate leaders, many of whom say his appointment by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is so badly stained that Burris shouldn't be seated when the new Congress convenes this week.

' target='_blank'> Wind turbines possible in central Illinois

Wind turbines possible in central Illinois CARLINVILLE, Ill. - Macoupin County leaders say they're using data from Western Illinois University to decide if they should pursue a wind turbine development.

Richardson withdraws bid to be secretary

Richardson withdraws bid to be secretary In this Friday, March 21, 2008 file photo, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, accompanied by Democratic presidential hopeful Sen.

Smokers, restaurants adapt during first year of smoking ban

Smokers, restaurants adapt during first year of smoking ban A year ago, smokers were inhaling their last puffs of tobacco in their favorite watering holes and restaurants.

Ill. fire marshal pushes CO2 detectors

Ill. fire marshal pushes CO2 detectors The Illinois state fire marshal wants residents to install carbon monoxide detectors as the new year begins.

Duck Hunters Kill Rare Trumpeter Swan

Duck Hunters Kill Rare Trumpeter Swan U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials say hunters thought they were shooting at a snow goose but actually killed a rare trumpeter swan at a conservation area in far southern Illinois.

Shepard told police he had been at a tavern in nearby Bloomington and was heading to a hotel. He said he was on his way to his home in Kentucky from Minnesota.
' target='_blank'> Actor Sam Shepard arrested for DUI in Illinois

Actor Sam Shepard arrested for DUI in Illinois Police in Illinois say actor and playwright Sam Shepard has been arrested on preliminary charges of speeding and drunken driving.Police Lt. Mark Kotte says officers stopped Shepard early Saturday in the central Illinois town of Normal.Kotte says the 65-year-old Shepard was driving 16 mph over the 30 mph speed limit.Kotte says a breath test indicated Shepard's blood-alcohol level was double the legal limit.Shepard told police he had been at a tavern in nearby Bloomington and was heading to a hotel. He said he was on his way to his home in Kentucky from Minnesota.

' target='_blank'> Reid Pressured Blagojevich On Obama Senate Seat

Reid Pressured Blagojevich On Obama Senate Seat Days before Gov. Blagojevich was charged with trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, top Senate Democrat Harry Reid made it clear who he didn't want in the post: ...

Lawmakers see opportunity to push ethics legislation

Lawmakers see opportunity to push ethics legislation With a new ethics-reform law on the books and Gov. Rod Blagojevich in hot water over alleged corruption, Illinois lawmakers say the atmosphere is right for pushing further measures aimed at cleaning up state ...

' target='_blank'> Library plans to collect sermons for inauguration

Library plans to collect sermons for inauguration Inauguration-week sermons would be videotaped to highlight Barack Obama's rise to power in an unprecedented quest by the Library of Congress to capture this transfer of power for posterity.

ABC's Jake Tapper predicted this week that Barack Obama will be "the Britney Spears of 2009." Considering that Obama was deemed by some to be the Britney Spears of 2008, it wasn't much of a leap.
' target='_blank'> Obama's paparazzi presidency

Obama's paparazzi presidency ABC's Jake Tapper predicted this week that Barack Obama will be "the Britney Spears of 2009." Considering that Obama was deemed by some to be the Britney Spears of 2008, it wasn't much of a leap.

Small Plane Crashes After Leaving From Buffalo Airport

Small Plane Crashes After Leaving From Buffalo Airport Two people were killed when the small plane crashed at Joliet Regional Airport In Illinois.

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