Illinois GOP

Washington County was formed in 1818 out of St. Clair County. Its county seat is Nashville, Illinois. Despite its relative proximity to the Illinois suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, Washington County is not considered part of the St. Louis metropolitan area, also known as the Metro-East. Washington County was named for George Washington.

Warren County was organized in 1825 out of Pike County. Pike County, consisted of all portions of state North and West of the Illinois River before 1825. Henderson County was formed in 1841 from the western area of Warren County. Its county seat is Monmouth, Illinois.

Wabash County was formed in 1824 out of Edwards County. Its county seat is Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Wabash County was named for the Wabash River which forms the eastern boundary of the county and derives its name from the Indian word Oubache.

Vermilion County was established January 18, 1826. Its county seat is Danville, Illinois. Vermilion County is named after the Vermilion River, which courses through it. The river was named “Vermilion” after the bluffs above it, which are a red color of earth.

Union County was formed out of Johnson County in 1818, the same year Illinois joined the Union. Its county seat is Jonesboro, Illinois. Union county has never adopted township form of government. The county has been divided into precincts. Union County was named for the federal union of the American States.

Tazewell County was formed out of Peoria County in 1827. Its county seat is Pekin, Illinois. The consensus appears to be that it was named in honor of Littleton Tazewell, who was serving in the U.S. Senate, and who became Governor of Virginia in 1834.

Stephenson County was formed in 1837 out of Jo Daviess and Winnebago Counties. Its county seat is Freeport, Illinois. Stephenson County was named for Colonel Benjamin Stephenson, a colonel in the Illinois militia, and commanded a regiment in the War of 1812.

Stark County was formed in 1839 out of Knox and Putnam Counties. Its county seat is Toulon, Illinois. Stark County was named for General Colonel John Stark who served in the American Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

St. Clair County is the first county established in the state of Illinois. Its existence actually precedes the state of Illinois as it was established in the Northwest Territory in 1790. Its county seat is Belleville, Illinois. St. Clair County was named in honor of Arthur St. Clair, Governor of the Northwest Territory, who...

Shelby County was formed in 1827 out of Fayette County. Its county seat is Shelbyville, Illinois. Shelby County was named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky and hero of the Revolutionary War.