Illinois State Motto

Motto and Nickname

The Illinois State Motto
The Illinois motto is:

"State sovereignty,
national union"

The Meaning of the Illinois State Motto
The meaning of this famous motto reflects to the issues surrounding the power of individual states versus the power of the Union. The considerations surrounding the motto were based on the independent nature of Illinois and the strength provided when being part of a greater union. These issues were strongly debated during the periods in history covering the War of Independence and the Civil War.

"State sovereignty, national union"

 
 

The Illinois State Nickname
The Illinois Motto is complimented by a less formal, popular Illinois nickname which, combined with the motto, are highly descriptive of the people, the geography and the history of the region. The names used as nicknames are:

Illinois State Nickname List
Official Nickname: Prairie State
Land of Lincoln
Inland Empire
Rainy State and the Corn State

The American citizens who live in, or who come from Illinois are referred to as  Illinoisians, Illinoisans or Illinoians.

George Washington

 

The Origin and Meaning of the Illinois Nicknames
The history, origin and meaning of each of the nicknames are as follows:

Prairie State
The official nickname alludes to Prairie grasses that one covered the land. Prairies consist of a vast area of flat or rolling grassland that is predominantly without trees, typically found in the plains of central America.

Land of Lincoln
The Land of Lincoln nickname was designated in 1955 and is an apt name because this is where Abraham Lincoln began his political career.

This name refers to Illinois as the state where Abraham Lincoln began his political career. This name is the Official State Slogan of Illinois, designated in 1955. Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky and lived in Indiana before moving to Illinois where he was elected to 4 terms in the Illinois General Assembly from 1834-1841. He became President of America in 1861 when he was a resident of the state.

Inland Empire
The Inland Empire is a highly ambitious nickname that was intended to denote intentions of the people to become both culturally distinct and to build a large-scale business enterprise.

Rainy State
The reference to rain is self explanatory. The Southern areas typically receive 40inches of rain each year and the Northern areas  typically receive 34 inches of rain each year.

Corn State
The reference to Corn reflects the main crop raised. The climate is good for crop growth in which the hot summers help plants grow and the cold winters help soil replenish itself. Most of the corn is used for livestock feed, but corn is also used for ethanol (a fuel additive), plastics and foods.

 

The Constitution of Illinois
The constitution of Illinois establishes the basic rights of its citizens and echoes the words and sentiments of the motto. The preamble (opening) of the constitution is as follows:

"We, the People of the State of Illinois - grateful to
Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty
which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors - in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; insure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and liberty to ourselves
and our posterity - do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois."

 

Illinois State Motto for Kids

Learn the meaning of the motto for kids
"State sovereignty, national union" motto
Find the meaning of the Motto and nickname
Meaning, History and Origin of the motto for kids
Meaning, origin and history of the nickname
Interesting facts, info and picture of the flag
Official Nickname "Prairie State"
Meaning of the motto and nickname for schools, kids and children

Abraham Lincoln


Illinois State Motto and Nickname for Kids

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