The Illinois Statehouse Kid's Page

The Kid Zone

Statehouse Facts

Construction began March 11, 1868.
Over 20 years were needed to build the Capitol.
The cost was approximately $4,500,000.
The iron framework of the dome weighs 451,900 lbs.
The height from the ground to the top of the dome is 361 ft., 405 ft. to the tip of the flagstaff.
22 million bricks were used in the construction of the Capitol.
Doors of the House and Senate Chambers are 12 ft. high and weigh 300 lbs. each.
To reach observation deck atop the dome from the 4th floor, one must climb 365 steps.

Capitol Word Search Words may appear across, down, and diagonally, forward only. Find these words in the grid at the left: 1. Dome 2. Capitol 3. Governor 4. Rotunda 5. House 6. Senate 7. Law 8. Illinois 9. Painting 10. Statue 11. Marble 12. History	G	G	Y	S	H	S	R	L	Y	P	C
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State Symbols

Tree White Oak The Oak became the State Tree in 1908 following a vote of Illinois schoolchildren.	Flower Violet Schoolchildren also selected the Violet as State Flower in 1908.	Bird Cardinal The Cardinal was selected from a list of five birds submitted to schoolchildren in 1928. The bill became law in 1929.
Song Illinois "Illinois" became the official state song after a bill introduced in the 54th General Assembly by Sen. Florence Fifer Bohrer was enacted. Daughter of Illinois Governor "Private Joe" Fifer, she was the first woman to serve in the Illinois Senate.	Slogan Land of Lincoln This slogan was adopted by the General Assembly in 1955.	Mineral Fluorite A bill naming Fluorite the State Mineral was passed by the General Assembly in 1965. Fluorite is used in the making of steel, glass, enamels, aluminum, and many chemicals.
Insect Butterfly A third grade class from the Dennis School in Decatur suggested the Monarch as the State Insect in 1974. The class lobbied for the bill and watched as Gov. Walker signed it into law in 1975.	Animal White-tailed Deer Schoolchildren selected the white-tailed deer from a list prepared by the General Assembly and the State Museum in 1980. Gov. Thompson signed a bill which made it official on Jan. 1, 1982	Fish Bluegill A member of the sunfish family, the Bluegill was chosen as the State Fish by schoolchildren in 1986.
Prairie Grass Big Bluestem Big Bluestem became the Official Prairie grass after a poll of schoolchildren conducted by the Dept. of Conservation. Gov. Thompson signed the bill on August 31, 1989.	Fossil Tully Monster Designated the State Fossil in 1989, the Tully Monster was discovered in 1955 by amateur archaeologist Francis J. Tully of Joliet.	Dance Square Dance The Square Dance became the official American Folk Dance of the state in 1990. The dance has been recorded in history since 1651.
	Snack Food Popcorn Illinois is the third-largest producer of popcorn in the U. S., with 333 popcorn farms growing about 47,000 acres of popcorn each year. Popcorn became the State Snack Food in August 2003, as a result of efforts by second- and third-graders at Cunningham Elementary School in Joliet, their teacher Fran Hollister, and State Sen. Larry Walsh. Source: State Symbol Coloring Book - Illinois Secretary of State