Illinois Through the Eyes of Residents: Fun Facts You Need to Know

Illinois is a state full of surprises, and who better to spotlight its hidden gems and fun quirks than the people who call it home? Residents from across the state have shared their favorite Illinois facts, let's see how many of them you already know.

Unusual Facts About Illinois

Did you know Illinois is home to the world’s largest bottle of ketchup or that Chicago’s iconic Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) was once the tallest building in the world?

I've lived in Illinois my entire life, and I still manage to learn new things about this state all the time.

Some people might only know Illinois as the home of deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, and a few infamous, crooked politicians, but as a life-long resident I feel it is my duty to share more things that make this such a unique place to live.

The other day I noticed this post from Only In Illinois, and I must say some of the comments pleasantly surprised me..

Sure, many of the comments echo statements like this; "Former Governors make your license plates", but there were many positive ones too. Let's see how many you already knew...

Now that you know a few fun and unusual facts about Illinois, now it's time to go and explore the state! From waterfalls and canyons to mysterious mounds made by Native American tribes, there are a TON of cool things to do and see the next time you're in Illinois. Here are some ideas to get you started...