The state of Illinois was named after the Illinois River.
The river was named by French explorer Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle in 1679 after the Indians he found living along the banks.
Illinois is the French spelling for the Illinois and Peoria Indian word "iliniwok," meaning men or warriors and perhaps referring to members of the Illinois tribe.
Welcome to Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, and the heart of America. Illinois prides itself on both its central location and its representation as the cultural center of the country, a microcosm of America. The state certainly does have everything from small towns and idyllic farms to big cities and industrial might. Illinois is one of the leading producers of corn and soybeans, but it is also the home of the world's busiest airport and towering skyscrapers.
With access to the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, and its central location within the states, Illinois is a natural center for transportation. In fact, the state has the greatest concentration of land, water, and air transportation facilities in the entire world.
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