**Q: What is the capital of Illinois?** **A:** The capital is Springfield, located in the central part of the state.
**Q: What is the largest city in Illinois?** **A:** Chicago is the largest city in Illinois and the third-largest city in the United States.
**Q: Why is Illinois called the Land of Lincoln?** **A:** Abraham Lincoln spent most of his adult life in Illinois, practicing law and launching his political career before becoming the 16th U.S. President.
**Q: What is the state bird?** **A:** The Northern Cardinal.
**Q: What is the state flower?** **A:** The Violet.
**Q: What time zone is Illinois in?** **A:** All of Illinois is in the Central Time Zone (CT).
**Q: How many counties are in Illinois?** **A:** Illinois has 102 counties.
**Q: What is the weather like in Illinois?** **A:** Illinois has a continental climate with four distinct seasons: hot, humid summers; cool, wet springs; crisp autumns; and cold, snowy winters.
**Q: Does Illinois have toll roads?** **A:** Yes, northern Illinois has an extensive network of tollways managed by the Illinois Tollway. The state uses the I-PASS electronic toll collection system, which is fully compatible with E-ZPass.
**Q: What is the sales tax rate in Illinois?** **A:** The base state sales tax is 6.25%, but local municipalities add their own taxes, which can push the total rate above 10% in places like Chicago.
**Q: What are the main airports?** **A:** Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW) are the primary international hubs. Downstate airports include Central Illinois Regional Airport (BMI) in Bloomington and Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI) in Springfield.
**Q: Is marijuana legal in Illinois?** **A:** Yes, recreational and medical marijuana use is legal for adults 21 and older.
**Q: What is the minimum wage in Illinois?** **A:** As of 2024, the statewide minimum wage is $14.00 per hour, though the City of Chicago and Cook County have higher local minimum wages.
**Q: What borders Illinois?** **A:** Wisconsin to the north, Lake Michigan and Indiana to the east, Kentucky to the south, and Missouri and Iowa to the west (across the Mississippi River).
**Q: Does Illinois have national parks?** **A:** Illinois does not have a designated "National Park," but it has the Shawnee National Forest, Pullman National Historical Park, and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.
**Q: What is the public transportation like?** **A:** Chicago features the CTA (buses and "L" trains) and Metra (commuter rail). Amtrak provides extensive statewide passenger rail service connecting Chicago to downstate cities.
**Q: What famous foods is Illinois known for?** **A:** Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, Garrett Popcorn, and the "horseshoe" sandwich (popular in Springfield).
**Q: When is the best time to visit?** **A:** Late spring (May/June) and early autumn (September/October) offer the most pleasant weather, while summer brings lively festivals across the state.
**Q: Does Illinois experience earthquakes?** **A:** Southern Illinois is located near the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, so minor earthquakes occasionally occur.
**Q: Can you swim in Lake Michigan?** **A:** Yes, during the summer months, Chicago and northern coastal suburbs offer numerous popular public beaches for swimming.
