Illinois was once the state of the Illini Indians. They were replaced by French settlers, who established a fort "where a river flowed into a big lake". That big lake was Lake Michigan; the river, the Chicago River; the fort's site the city now called Chicago.
The divide between Chicago and the "downstate" is dramatic. Chicago is one of America's most representative big cities, filled with awe-inspiring skyscrapers, world-class museums, neighborhood festivals, top-notch restaurants, and above all, the splendid lakefront.
Downstate consists of miles and miles of rich farmland. Springfield, the capital, has many attractions, namely highlighting the state's favorite son, and 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.
