1. In 1872, the Illinois State Fair Association was established. It has since become one of the largest state fairs in the country, attracting over half a million visitors annually.

2. On November 4, 1924, Nellie T. Ross of Illinois became the first woman governor in the United States following the death of her husband, Wyoming Governor William B. Ross.

3. The first McDonald's franchise opened in Des Plaines, Illinois on November 4, 1955. Today, the fast food chain has over 38,000 locations worldwide.

4. In 2008, Illinois made history by electing Barack Obama as the first African American President of the United States. Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii but spent much of his career as a community organizer and politician in Illinois.

5. On November 4, 2014, incumbent Republican Senator Mark Kirk narrowly defeated Democratic challenger, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, to win his second term in office. The race was closely watched and heavily funded by both parties as Illinois had been considered a battleground state.