1846   Abraham Lincoln is elected to the United States Congress by the state of Illinois.

1858   The first of seven highly publicized debates are held between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas during their campaign for an open seat in the United States Senate for the state of Illinois

1858   Stephen A. Douglas defeats Abraham Lincoln in an election for a United States Senate seat from the state of Illinois. The highly publicized election propels Abraham Lincoln to national prominence.

1999   White supremacist Benjamin Nathaniel Smith begins a 3-day killing spree targeting minorities in Illinois and Indiana. The spree would leave two dead and nine wounded.