Illinois

Illinois is a Midwestern state bordered by Indiana to the east, Wisconsin to the north, Iowa and Missouri to the west, and Kentucky to the south. It is known for its farmlands, forests, rolling hills, and wetlands, and is home to one of the largest cities in the U.S., Chicago, located on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818. The state has had a varied political history, with strong Republican support from the Civil War through the 1920s, but also significant Democratic support, particularly in urban areas. Illinois voted for the Democratic candidate during the Great Depression and World War II, but it also supported Republicans in some elections.

From 1952 to 1988, Illinois supported the Republican candidate in five presidential elections and the Democratic candidate in five. More recently, Illinois has supported Democratic candidates in every presidential election since 2008, with Joe Biden winning the state in 2020.

Illinois has 19 electoral votes, and the 2020 Census marked the second consecutive time the state lost electoral votes due to population changes.