Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ILLINOIS
Chicago dominates the state with its sky-high architecture and superlative museums, res-
taurants and music clubs. But venturing further afield reveals Hemingway's hometown of
'wide lawns and narrow minds,' scattered shrines to local hero Abe Lincoln, and a trail
of corn dogs, pies and drive-in movie theaters down Route 66. A cypress swamp and a
prehistoric World Heritage site make appearances in Illinois too.
Information
Illinois Bureau of Tourism
(
www.enjoyillinois.com
)
Illinois Highway Conditions
(
www.gettingaroundillinois.com
)
sites cost $6 to $35; some accept reservations (
www.reserveamerica.com
; booking fee
$5).
ILLINOIS FACTS
Nicknames
Prairie State, Land of Lincoln
Population
12.9 million
Area
57,900 sq miles
Capital city
Springfield (population 117,000)
Other cities
Chicago (population 2.7 million)
Sales tax
6.25%
Birthplace of
Author Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961), animator Walt Disney
(1901-66), jazz musician Miles Davis (1926-91), actor Bill Murray (b 1950)
Home of
Cornfields, Route 66 starting point
Politics
Democratic in Chicago, Republican downstate
Famous for
Skyscrapers, corn dogs, Abe Lincoln sights
Official snack food
Popcorn
Driving distances
Chicago to Milwaukee 92 miles, Chicago to Springfield 200
miles
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