Illinois history By Kikanovich 1818 Illinois achieves statehood 1837 Springfield named state capital Period: 1861 to 1865 Illinois in the civil war 1871 Great Chicago Fire 1919 Chicago Race Riot Period: 1920 to 1930 Al Capone and Prohibition 1970 New Illinois Constitution 1983 Harold Washington elected mayor of Chicago 2008 Barack Obama elected president