The Prairie State In The Land of Lincoln

Illinois is a state located in the midwestern part of the United States Illinois is mostly flat with lots of farmland The major crops include corn and soybeans Lake Michigan is on the northeast part of the state Lake Michigan is one of the 5 Great Lakes Illinois Geography

Chicago, IL Chicago, IL Chicago is located on the edge of Lake Michigan Chicago is the 3 rd largest city in the United States The tallest building in the world, the Sears Tower is in Chicago Oak Park is one block away from Chicago Hatch Elementary is 7 blocks from Chicago

Illinois Weather Illinois has 4 distinct weather seasons: Spring- tempature in the 50’s, rainy Summer-temparture in the 70-80’s, sunny Autumn- temp. in the 30-60’s, chilly Winter- temp. in the 10-20’s, snowy Near the lake it is often warmer in the winter The prairies get tornadoes and thunderstorms Chicago is called the “Windy City”

Illinois Wildlife and Animals Illinois Wildlife and Animals Many animals make Illinois their home: White- tailed Deer Rabbits Squirrels Fox Raccoon Muskrats Beavers Mink Ducks Geese Monarch Butterfly Bluegill fish Cardinal

Illinois State Government The Governor of the state is Rod Blagojevich The Governor is responsible for the administration of the government. He has the power to approve or stop (veto) any legislative bill that is passed by the General Assembly of Illinois The Lieutenant Gov. is Pat Quinn. He acts as a representative for the governor Secretary of State is Jesse White. He is in charge of motor vehicle taxes and fees; he registers corporations; enforces the ILL securities act; and is the state librarian and archivist/historian.

Illinois State Government The Comptroller is Daniel Hynes. He controls the state’s money and spending State Treasurer is Judy Baar Topinka. She receives all the money paid to the state. The Attorney General is Lisa Madigan. She interprets and enforces laws. State Senator for Oak Park is ________ State Representative for Oak Park is______

Illinois Early Exploration Louis Joilet and Father Jacques Marquette were the first white men to explore Illinois in 1673 They were from Canada and were searching for the “Big River” or the Mississippi River They traveled from Lake Michigan to Fox River, to the Wisconsin River, to the Mississippi, to the Arkansas River They came back up the Mississippi to the Illinois River, to the Kankakee River, to the Chicago River, and back to Lake Michigan

Illinois History Joilliet and Marquette discover area of Illinois and rivers George Rogers Clark annex the Illinois Land and claim it for Virginia Treaty of Paris- Americans win the Northwest Territory, includes Illinois Northwest Ordinance- tells about how the territory will be divided into states Battle of Fallen Timbers- US troops defeat Indians and open Illinois up to settlement of white men Northwest Territory Divided- Illinois is included as part of Indiana Illinois becomes separate territory from Indiana Illinois becomes the 21 st state of the nation

Illinois Facts Nickname: Land of Lincoln Motto: State Sovereignty, National union Slogan: The Prairie State Song: Illinois Statehood: 21 st Date of Statehood: 1818 Tree: White Oak Flower: Native Violet Bird: Cardinal Insect: Monarch Butterfly Fish: Bluegill Mineral: Fluorite Animal: White- tailed deer