Illinois River

The Illinois River is a significant waterway stretching approximately 273 miles through Illinois, connecting the Great Lakes region to the Mississippi River. It flows from the Chicago area southward, passing through cities like Peoria and Havana, before joining the Mississippi near Grafton. The river supports transportation, commerce, and recreation, serving as a vital corridor for shipping goods such as agriculture and industrial products. Ecologically, it provides habitat for diverse wildlife and plays a key role in regional water management. Its basin also influences local communities and ecosystems, making it an important natural and economic resource in the Midwest.