The People

In 2000, the population density was 223.4 persons per square mile (86.3 per km2), slightly less than three times that of the United States as a whole. Almost half of the state's population lived in Cook County, in which Chicago is located.

Illinois's early settlers were largely English, Irish, Scottish, and German. The period of heavy immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought more Germans, Swedes, Italians, Poles, and Russians. The extreme south had a high percentage of blacks from the days of earliest settlement. Beginning in World War I the Chicago region received a steady influx of blacks from the southern states. In 2000 15.1 per cent of Illinois's population were black. People of Hispanic origin made up 12.3 per cent of the population.

Annual events in Illinois
January-March
Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show at McCormick Place in Chicago (January); Central Illinois Jazz Festival in Decatur (February); Annual Groundhog Days in Woodstock (February); St. Patrick's Day Parade in Chicago (March).
April-June
Old Capitol Art Fair in Springfield (May); Chicago Blues Festival (June); Old Town Art Fair in Chicago (June); Fort de Chartres Rendezvous in Prairie du Rocher (June); Steamboat Festival in Peoria (June); Taste of Chicago at Grant Park in Chicago (June-July); Ravinia Music Festival in Highland Park (June to September).
July-September
Lisle Eyes to the Skies Balloon Festival (July); Chicago Air & Water Show (August); Chicago Jazz Festival (August); Gateway Indy 250 in Madison (August); Illinois State Fair in Springfield (August); Grape Festival in Nauvoo (September); Historic Home Tour in Galena (September); Jordbruksdagarna (Swedish Agricultural Days) in Bishop Hill (September); Mother Road Festival in Springfield (September).
October-December
Apple Festival in Long Grove (October); Pumpkin Festival in Sycamore (October); Spoon River Scenic Drive Fall Festival in Fulton County (October); Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles (October); Victorian Splendor Light Festival in Shelbyville (November to January); Christkindlmarket Chicago at Daley Plaza in Chicago (November-December).