Illinois

"Illinois" is the regional anthem (or state song) of the U.S. state of Illinois. Written in the early 1890s by Civil War veteran Charles H. Chamberlin, the verses were set to the tune of "Baby Mine," a popular song composed in 1870 by Archibald Johnston (died 1887). "Illinois" became the state song by an act of the 54th Illinois General Assembly in 1925. History The song was written during the successful campaign to have the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition located in Chicago. It was intended for Colonel O.B. Knight, a friend of Mr. Chamberlin, to sing in Illinois and Washington D.C. as support for the nomination of Illinois to host the fair. Walter Howe Jones (died 1933), Director of the University of Illinois School of Music from 1895 to 1901, set the song lyrics to his own music for male voices in 1901. His version was published in several campus song books but was not widely used. In 1925, Florence Fifer Bohrer (1877-1960) of Bloomington, daughter of Governor Joseph W. Fifer (1840-1938) and the first woman Illinois state senator, introduced the bill making "Illinois" with Johnston's melody the official state song. The bill was passed on 30 June 1925.