Illinois, the most populated Midwestern state, is the 25th largest state based on area, but thanks to its largest city, Chicago, it is 5th largest based on population. Chicago is the nation�s third largest city and its metropolitan area consists of over 9.5 million people. Chicago is the professional and cultural center of Illinois. Chicago is the headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies as well as the home to world renowned restaurants, theatres, and other entertainment options. Outside of Chicago there are many other places worth visiting and a lot of great cities to call home. Springfield, Illinois is the state�s capital and anchors the center of the state. There are various large universities in the state including two Big Ten schools, the University of Illinois and Northwestern University.
Housing within the state of Illinois varies significantly. For a few hundred thousand dollars a 3,000 square foot home can be purchased in the vast rural land of Illinois. But closer to the city, the same purchase price may not get more than a small studio apartment. Illinois� weather varies significantly by the month. The summers are quite warm and can be very humid, while the winters can be long with period of time when the temperature does not get above zero. Overall, Illinois is a safe state, although like all major metropolitan areas, Chicago does have some problems with crime.
For further detail about visiting Illinois, please read our Illinois area guide. This will give local restaurant and hotel reviews as well as answer some frequently asked questions. There are also many pictures which show the beauty that Illinois has to offer.