Written in about 1890 by Civil War veteran Charles H. Chamberlin (1891–1894), the verses were set to the tune of "Baby Mine," a popular song composed in 1876[1] by Archibald Johnston (died 1887).
[3] The song was written during the successful campaign, which concluded in April 1890, to have the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition located in Chicago.
[5] 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.
[6] Colonel Armin F. Hand (1882?–1966) of Chicago composed a stylized version of the song titled "Governor's March (Illinois)" for marching band in 1935, and dedicated it to Governor Henry Horner (1879–1940).
In addition to the original four verses of the lyrics, two more were written in 1966 by folk singer Win Stracke (1908-1991) for the 1968 Illinois Sesquicentennial.
The resolution was drafted by Chicago author Stan "Tex" Banash and introduced by State Representative Michael P.