Illinois, home of Chicago--the third largest city in the United States, is the heart of the Midwest. The state is a microcosm of the country, meaning its demographics reflect those of the entire United States. Illinois has played a significant part in U.S. history, yielding several presidents, including Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, who called Illinois home at the time of their elections. Springfield, the capital of Illinois, has a multitude of museums and historical sites that commemorate the state's political history, such as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.