Illinois , thePrairie State , is get laid for its loom skyscrapers , charming small Ithiel Town and diverse neighborhoods . According to Census universe datum , the Illinois universe is the fifth - largest in the United States .
Thelargest cities in Illinois(including Chicago , Joliet and Naperville ) offer a mix of cultural , economic and unpaid attractions . They reflect the state ’s industrial roots , as well as its modern development .
1. Chicago (2.7 million)
The most thickly settled city in Illinois and the third - declamatory in the U.S. isChicago , know as The Windy City .
If you look at an Illinois map , you ’ll find Chicago located in the northeasterly corner along the shores of Lake Michigan . The Chicago part includes a Brobdingnagian electronic web of surrounding suburbia , many of which chip in to the broad Chicago metropolitan region .
The Chicago tube area is a global hub for finance , culture and innovation . It ’s roll in the hay for its iconic skyline , deep - dish pizza pie and worldly concern - class museums . The Windy City offers endless magnet , include Millennium Park , Navy Pier and the Chicago Riverwalk . The city also feature unattackable scene forbluesand house music .
2. Aurora (181,000)
locate Dame Rebecca West of Chicago , Aurorais known as the City of Lights for being one of the first cities to utilise electrical streetlights . The Paramount Theatre is a symbol of its thriving artistic creation scene . visitor can also go boat , fishingand kayaking on the Fox River , or stroll and jogging alongside the Fox River Trail .
3. Joliet (151,000)
Joliet , southwestward of Chicago , is hump for its historic computer architecture and amusement options . The city is home to the Rialto Square Theatre and Chicagoland Speedway .
4. Naperville (150,000)
Regularly ranked as one of thebest places to live in the U.S. , Naperville combines suburban appealingness with urban amenities . The Riverwalk , Naper Settlement and top - rat schools make it a class - well-disposed urban center . Like other Illinois cities , its flourish business organisation community also pull master .
5. Rockford (148,000)
Situated along the Rock River , Rockford is known as the " Forest City " for its lush green space . The Anderson Japanese Gardens and Burpee Museum of Natural History are standout attractive feature .
6. Springfield (114,000 residents)
As the commonwealth capital , Springfield is steeped in account . It ’s the hometown of Abraham Lincoln , and visitant flock to landmarks like the Lincoln Home , presidential library , tomb and museum .
7. Elgin (114,000)
Elgin , located along the Fox River , extend nature activeness for the outdoorsy folks , as well as the Grand Victoria Casino for escapade indoors . In the early 19th and 20th centuries , Elgin was known for the Elgin National Watch Company . It ’s also home to the award - winning Elgin Symphony Orchestra .
8. Peoria (113,000)
Peoria , nestled along the Illinois River , is one of the state ’s old settlements . It ’s a hub for healthcare and fabrication . Attractions include the Peoria Riverfront Museum andCaterpillar Visitors Center , where you may take a virtual drive into a mine site and design your own Cat motorcar .
9. Waukegan (89,000)
Waukegan , locate on the shore of Lake Michigan , offers stunning waterfront views and a lively cultural aspect . The Genesee Theatre and Waukegan Harbor are popular attractions .
10. Cicero (83,000 residents)
Cicero , a close suburbia of Chicago , is excellently consociate with the gangster Al Capone , who made the town his base of operations during the Prohibition geological era in the 1920s . The Cicero Stadium hosts box match and other sporting case .
11. Champaign (82,000)
Home to the University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign ( UIUC ) , Champaign is a vibrant college town with a thriving tech diligence . In 1993 , Marc Andreessen and his team at UIUC developed Mosaic , the first widely used graphical web web browser app . Its ethnic scene , include the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts , and local eateries make it a fun place to live .
12. Bloomington (78,000)
Bloomington , part of the Twin Cities with Normal , is home to State Farm ’s home base and Illinois Wesleyan University . The Miller Park Zoo and Constitution Trail offer family - friendly activities .
13. Schaumburg (77,000)
Schaumburg , located northwest of Chicago , is a major retail and commercial hub . It ’s domicile to Woodfield Mall , one of the largest shopping centers in the res publica .
14. Decatur (70,000)
Decatur , locate in central Illinois , is an industrial city that ’s home to major party like ADM . Popular attractor admit the Scovill Zoo and Lake Decatur .
15. Evanston (68,000)
Situated just northerly of Chicago , Evanston is fuck for being the household of Northwestern University . The city is also known for its beaches , parks and historic homes . Its vibrant downtown offer up a mix of store , eating place , and cultural hub , like Piven Theatre Workshop and Northlight Theatre .
We created this clause in alignment with AI technology , then made sure it was fact - checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor .
