St. Patrick’s Day is a day of parades, parties and celebration in Illinois. You’ve probably seen the green outfits, beverages and river, but do you know the history of the Irish in Illinois? This article will give a brief overview of the Irish legacy in Illinois.

The Irish have taken part in Illinois history since its origins. Irishmen under George Rogers Clark seized the Illinois Country for the United States. Irish served on the State’s first constitutional convention in 1818 and several governors and Chicago mayors trace their ancestry to Ireland.

Due to the infamous potato crop failures starting in 1845 in Ireland, more than a million Irish emigrated out of the country. Foreign born Irish in Chicago peaked at 73,912 in 1900 but large scale immigration continued through the 1980’s.

Those immigrants, proud of their culture, hosted the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Chicago in 1843 when the city’s population was much smaller. A long hiatus followed though local organizations hosted their own parades, marches and festivities over the years. In 1953, the West Side hosted a major parade, as did Southtown, drawing up to 100,000 attendees. Many other parades were held over the decades, and this year there were four large St. Patrick’s Day parades in the city and parades all across the state.

Today the Irish represent just under 11% of the population in Illinois. In Chicago they make up 8% of the population. Other parts of the state have a higher percentage of Irish, with DuPage County sitting at 13% and McHenry at 15%. Interestingly, the furthest south County, Gallatin, has an 18% proportion of Irish.

Aside from St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish community contributes greatly to the culture, economy and history of Illinois alongside a large tapestry of cultures and ethnicities in the State.

International business publication Site Selection Magazine has ranked Illinois No. 2 in the nation for corporate expansion and relocations for the fourth consecutive year. At the same time, Chicago earned the title of the nation’s top metro area for the 13^th year in a row, reinforcing the state and city’s reputation as a premier destination for business growth.

Illinois continues to top the lists of major economic development rankings, including being named No. 1 in the Midwest for workforce development. In 2025, Illinois recorded 680 major business expansions or relocations, up from 664 in 2024, while also maintaining its No. 2 national ranking for projects per capita for a third consecutive year.

State-led initiatives like competitive incentive packages, site readiness investments and robust workforce programs, along with global trade missions, have bolstered Illinois’ prominence as an attractive state for businesses to locate and expand. 

Major 2025 investments include Pure Lithium’s relocation from Boston to Chicago, Damera Corporation’s first U.S. electric bus assembly plant in Peoria and Rivian’s $120 million investment to create a supplier park in Normal. Cronus Chemicals committed to a $2 billion fertilizer facility in Tuscola, while Silesia and Epic Pharma Solutions also expanded their Illinois presence.

Illinois is also solidifying its role as a leader on quantum technology with the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago, anchored by PsiQuantum. With 10 credit upgrades since 2021 and continued investments in key industries, Illinois is cementing itself as an economic powerhouse, ready for business.

Today would have been the 112th birthday for William Stratton, who was Illinois’ governor from 1953-1961. However, he died in 2001 at the age of 87.

Stratton was born in Ingleside in 1914, and graduated from the University of Arizona when he was 20 years old. He then started a public service career and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1941. When his term ended in 1943, Stratton was elected as Illinois’ State Treasurer in 1944 before winning the House of Representatives election again in 1947. And once again, he became Illinois’ State Treasurer in 1950 after his term expired.

Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad is a traveling museum that visits communities across Illinois, spreading the history of the Underground Railroad and its history in Illinois. The exhibit highlights the real stories and contributions Black and white Americans made to help freedom-seekers escape the horrors of slavery and reach a better life.