The Illinois forms part of a modern waterway that connects the Great Lakes at Chicago to the Mississippi River. The waterway was originally established by the building of the Illinois and Michigan Canal that connected the Illinois River to the Chicago River. When the Sanitary District of Chicago later reversed the flow of the Chicago River, the pollution and sewage of the city of Chicago flowed down into the Illinois River. The Illinois and Michigan Canal has since been replaced by the Illinois Waterway, including the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
River traffic and flood control is managed by eight locks and dams operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The waterway is heavily used by barges transporting bulk goods such as grain and oil. It is used in the summer and early fall by tourists in pleasure boats cruising the Great Loop.
Posts from the Illinois River:
- Heading on down the river
- The Other Ottawa
- Henry to Peoria
- Scenes Along the Illinois River
- Capt. Dan Thomas, Capt. Dan Thomas, This is Moon Dance
- Beardstown, Illinois
- Working On The River
- Inland River Marina Design
- Carpe Diem
Moon Dance IV 