Your guide to the best of Illinois. Places to go, things to do, the best places to eat and drink, must-see Chicago, trip ideas and inspiration for your Illinois vacation. The official website for the Illinois Secretary of State, providing information and services related to vehicle registration, driver's licenses, and state identification. Buy tickets for Illinois Lottery games online, check winning numbers, and explore exciting games like Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, and Lucky Day Lotto. The history of Illinois may be defined by several broad historical periods, namely, the pre-Columbian period, the era of European exploration and colonization, its development as part of the American frontier, its early statehood period, growth in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the contemporary Illinois of today. Illinois is a state in the United States. Its capital is Springfield and its largest city is Chicago. It is bordered to the north by Wisconsin, to the west by Iowa and below that, by Missouri (both borders are along the Mississippi River). To the south-east, Illinois is bordered along the Ohio River by Kentucky and to the east by Indiana. Illinois' northeasternmost boundary is to Lake Michigan. Find places to go, things to see. Search through all the different services offered by the various Illinois agencies. Geographical and historical treatment of Illinois, including maps and a survey of its people, economy, and government. Its capital city is Springfield, and its largest city and most important cultural and economic center is Chicago. Politically, Illinois is divided between the Chicago area and ‘downstate.’ Illinois (/ ˌɪlɪˈnɔɪ / ⓘ IL-ih-NOY) is a state in the Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash and Ohio rivers to its south. [b] Of the fifty U.S. states, Illinois has the fifth-largest gross domestic product (GDP), the sixth-largest population, and the 25th-most land area. Its capital city is Springfield. State agencies Department of Agriculture Department of Human Services Consumer Protection Division Department of Corrections Local governments The United States Attorney's Office - District of Illinois Board of Education Board of Elections Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security Department of Public Health Motor Vehicles Office of the Attorney General Physical map of Illinois showing major cities, terrain, national parks, rivers, and surrounding countries with international borders and outline maps. Key facts about Illinois.