Saul Bellow (b. 1915) Novelist, short story writer, and playwright; won the Pulitzer Prize in 1975, for Humboldt's Gift, and the 1976 Nobel Prize for literature.
Born in Canada, but lived most of his life in Chicago.
Jack Benny (1894-1975) Popular comedian and actor; host of "The Jack Benny Show. Born Waykegan, Illinois.
Ray Douglas Bradbury (b. 1920) Science-fiction author, best known for his novels; wrote The Illustrated Man, Death Is a Lonely Business, Fahrenheit 451, and many other novels. Born Waukegan, Illinois.
Clarence Darrow (b. OH 1857-1938) Famed lawyer in the Scopes "monkey" trial and labor advocate who defended Eugene V. Debs following the Chicago Pullman Strike.
Walt Disney (b. Walter Elias Disney, 1901-1966) Animation creator of the famous Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck; studio executive; and founder of Disneyland which opened in Anaheim, California in 1955. Born Chicago, Illinois.
Stephen Arnold Douglas (b. VT 1813-1861) Secretary of state of Illinois and member of the U.S. House of Representatives; ran against Abraham Lincoln for the senate and for the presidency nomination.
Ulysses Simpson Grant (b. OH 1822-1885) 18th president of the United States; commander of the Union army during the Civil War. Started hisCivil War career with a commission in the Illinois Militia.
Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) Famous author; among many things, he wrote The Sun Also Rises, For Whom the Bell Tolls, and Old Man and the Sea; won the 1954 Nobel Prize for literature. Born Oak Park, Illinois.
Abraham Lincoln (b. Kentucky, 1809-1865) 16th president of the United States; famous for emancipating the slaves; was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a disaffected southerner. His political career began in Springfield, Illinois.
Ronald Wilson Reagan (b. 1911) 40th president of the United States; former actor and governor of California. Born Tampica, Illinois.
Frank Lloyd Wright (1869-1959) Famous architect, noted for his originality. Notable buildings include the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City and Taliesin at Spring Green, Wisconsin.
Fascinating Fact
The town of Olney calls itself "Home of the White Squirrels." Laws in the city give the albino squirrels the right of way on every street, and if residents are caught trying to leave town with one, they are fined.
State Flag Of Illinois
Illinois adopted a state flag in 1915, modifying it in 1970. The central design of the flag is derived from the state seal and features national symbols, dates of statehood, and the seal itself, all upon a white background.
