“Illinois” is an episode in the 1940s motion picture series This Land Of Ours, from Carl Dudley Productions, and gives viewers an overview of the “Land of Lincoln.” This episode opens with a shot of a mighty river (00:34), as the narrator explains the number of rivers and lakes located within or along Illinois’ border. Modern cities such as Chicago (01:07) and Springfield (01:16) are home to the millions of Midwesterners. Springfield, the capital, is itself a dedication to Abraham Lincoln—his statue graces the front of the capital building (01:41) and his tomb is housed here as well (02:00). Chicago (02:19) rises above Lake Michigan in steel and stone buildings. Michigan Avenue (02:32) is the city’s most famous, and is home to the iconic Wrigley Building. But all of Chicago’s streets bustle with people and cars. Merchandise Mart (03:15) is another famous building, and highlights the commercial and manufacturing industries of the city and the state. Other major manufacturing towns are Rockford (plow shares), Calumet (Pullman cars), La Grange (power diesels). The University of Illinois (04:48) is the state’s great public educational institution and enrolls thousands of students from Illinois as well as all over the country. Coal mining (05:18) is another major industry; Illinois is the third largest producer in the U.S. Farming (06:09) is widespread, as Illinois is a major agriculture producer, producing wheat, oats, and rye. The Illinois prairie produces endless amounts of these bushel crops. Soy beans (06:54), which Illinois pioneered, are also grown here, and Illinois grows more soy beans than any other state. Corn (07:22) is the most important crop, and Illinois farmers use mechanized harvesting tools, many of which are manufactured in the state itself. The film concludes with a visit to the Illinois State Fair (07:42), which showcases what Illinois is and does. 4H youngsters prepare for future livestock careers, small children ride mini trains and other fair rides, and people enjoy the action-packed horse and auto races. Indeed, modern Illinois is a progressive and productive state.

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