Illinois: government, population and official figures

Illinois is a state of the United States, number 6 of 51 by population. Illinois had an estimated 12,719,141 residents on 1 July 2025, 3.7% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 6th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.13%, 10th slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs Illinois?

The governor is JB Pritzker. Governor's office. Phone: 1-217-782-6830 1- 217-782-0244 (. Address: 401 S. Spring St. Springfield , IL 62704.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Illinois: The economy of Illinois (gross domestic product) was worth $1.24 trillion in 2025 at current prices, 4.0% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 5th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 5.5% on 2024.
• Health in Illinois: Life expectancy at birth in Illinois was 77.5 years in 2022, 22nd longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Illinois: 87.3% of public high school students in Illinois graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 19th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Illinois: The Census Bureau estimates that 11.5% of people in Illinois lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 1,434,871 people; 25th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Illinois: Illinois' state government took in $118.4 billion in fiscal year 2024, $9,319 per resident, 22nd lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Illinois

• Illinois
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Human Services
• Consumer Protection Division
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• The United States Attorney's Office - District of Illinois
• Board of Education
• Board of Elections
• Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security
• Department of Public Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Illinois

1. Chicago 2,731,585 (2025)
2. Aurora 181,505 (2025)
3. Naperville 153,114 (2025)
4. Joliet 152,241 (2025)
5. Rockford 147,384 (2025)
6. Elgin 115,476 (2025)
7. Springfield 112,989 (2025)
8. Peoria 110,920 (2025)
9. Champaign 91,195 (2025)
10. Waukegan 87,940 (2025)
11. Cicero 81,858 (2025)
12. Bloomington 78,804 (2025)
13. Schaumburg 77,249 (2025)
14. Evanston 76,380 (2025)
15. Arlington Heights 76,216 (2025)
16. Bolingbrook 74,803 (2025)
17. Decatur 67,884 (2025)
18. Skokie 66,544 (2025)
19. Palatine 65,842 (2025)
20. Des Plaines 58,772 (2025)
21. Orland Park 57,954 (2025)
22. Oak Lawn 56,450 (2025)
23. Mount Prospect 55,395 (2025)
24. Tinley Park 55,140 (2025)
25. Berwyn 55,001 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

Up a level: the United States · government and power in the United States · cities

Sources

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