9781422286234

Illinois

A few years ago, the Associated Press examined U.S. Census Bureau data from all 50 states. The AP looked at the racial makeup of each state’s population. It looked at the average income of residents. It looked at their average age. It looked at where they lived—whether in an urban, suburban, or rural area. It looked at their educational levels. In all, the AP examined 21 categories. And it concluded that Illinois is the state that most closely resembles the nation as a whole. That may be so. But it would be a mistake to think of Illinois as the “most average state,” as one AP headline-writer pro- claimed. Illinois is big and dynamic. It plays a crucial role in the country’s economy. Geography Located in the heart of the Midwest, Illinois covers nearly 58,000 square miles (150,000 square kilometers). In total area, it ranks as the nation’s 25th largest state. Illinois is bordered by five states: Wisconsin to the north, Indiana to the east, Kentucky to the south, and Missouri and Iowa to the west. The northeast corner of Illinois includes more

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