"The Prairie State"

Welcome to Illinois

Illinois/Iowa border on I-80
March 22, 2009

Whenever I think of Illinois, the first thing that comes to mind is the Chicago skyline from Lake Michigan. It's really a great view, as most of the buildings have unique shapes. I would assume that most people have a similar cosmopolitan notion when thinking about Illinois too. However, after driving throughout most of the state, this is a very misguided perception. The Prairie State is an appropriate name, since it is very desolate along I-39 with farms as far as the eye can see. As much as residents would probably hate the comparison, Illinois is a lot like Indiana in terms of the expansive farms with a token big city in the mix.

The Prairie State is very proud of its ties to Abraham Lincoln (see the Springfield recap for more), and the welcome sign makes this very apparent upon entering Illinois. An outline of Lincoln's face is incorporated into the second "I," as well as adding the "Land of Lincoln" phrase that also appears on the state's license plates. Aside from these touching tributes, there is little else from this sign that symbolizes Illinois. The previous sign, which I saw along on November 6, 2005, did a better job of showcasing the state's diversity between country life and city life.

Welcome to Springfield

November 6, 2005

Springfield should just change its name to Lincolnfield, since it is impossible to go anywhere in town without seeing some reference to Abraham Lincoln, who grew up in the area. Even the businesses get into the act, with names from "Lincoln Lodge" to "Honest Abe's Mechanics." (In the interest of full disclosure, he was actually born in Kentucky.) I also made the obligatory stops at his gravesite and the new museum, and I would recommend both. All that aside, it was a typical small midwestern town that had narrow downtown streets with old storefronts.

The capitol is very impressive. It combines the look of classical architecture with some more modern elements. I liked the dome, as it reminds me of European cathedrals and the flag at the top is a nice touch. It is definitely a break from the "traditional" dome that is similar to the U.S. capitol, and it is effective in this case. The grounds include numerous statues of famous Illinois residents, but the historical markers explaining who they are and their relevance were sadly absent. I really though the silver dome was a nice touch and makes it stand out from a lot of the other capitols.

Miscellaneous Illinois Symbols

State Route Sign

License Plate

Seal

Quarter