Illinois Counties

Massac County hugs the Ohio River at the southern tip of Illinois, bordering Kentucky. Metropolis, the county seat, has a Superman statue.

McDonough County is tucked away in western Illinois, about halfway between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. Macomb is the county seat.

McHenry County sits in the far northeast corner of Illinois, right on the Wisconsin border. It’s actually part of the Chicago metro area.

McLean County is right in the middle of Illinois, often called the heart of the state. It’s the largest county in Illinois by land area.

Menard County sits in central Illinois, north of Springfield. Petersburg is where Abraham Lincoln practiced law before he hit the big time.

Mercer County, Illinois, sits along the Mississippi River. Agriculture is key here. Aledo, the county seat, is known for its Rhubarb Festival.

Monroe County hugs the Mississippi River in southwestern Illinois, just south of St. Louis. Waterloo is the county seat, located in the center.

Montgomery County sits in south-central Illinois, an hour’s drive from Springfield. Hillsboro, the county seat, is your typical Midwest town.

Morgan County is in the heart of west-central Illinois. Jacksonville, the county seat, is home to several colleges and a school for the deaf.

Moultrie County sits in east-central Illinois, a stone’s throw from Champaign. Sullivan, the county seat, is a small town with a big heart.

Ogle County stretches across north-central Illinois, near Rockford to the north. The Rock River cuts through the heart of the county.

Peoria County sits in the middle of Illinois, straddling the Illinois River. Peoria is the county seat and is the largest city in the area.

Perry County is in southern Illinois, near St. Louis, Missouri. Du Quoin is the largest town, which also hosts the state fair.

Piatt County is a small patch of rural Illinois, sitting between Champaign and Decatur. Monticello, the county seat, has an old downtown.

Pike County hugs the Mississippi River in western Illinois, wedged between the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Pittsfield is the county seat.