The Illinois quarter was the 21st state quarter to be released by the U.S. Mint. Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818, and the Illinois state quarter was the first one to be released in the year 2003. The design of this state quarter was thought of by school children (5,700 of them). Then a small group of people chose 3 ideas for governor Ryan to choose from. On the state quarter of Illinois you will see a picture of Abe Lincoln on a background of farmland. He is important to the state of Illinois because it reminds people of the life of Abraham Lincoln and the history and future of Illinois. You will also see the city of Chicago. It is important to the state of Illinois because it helps people remember the fire that burned down the city. You will also see a lot of farmland. It is important to the state of Illinois because it helps remind us of President Abraham Lincoln who grew up on a farm.
