page_title: List of people from Illinois
section_title: A
hierarchical_section_title: List of people from Illinois / A
caption_attribution_description: Official Photo of John Ashcroft
context_page_description: Aa–Ag
  Emma Abbott, opera soprano. Born and raised in Illinois until age 16; funeral held in Illinois, but inurned in Massachusetts.
  Margaret Abbott, first modern-era Olympic United States female champion. Lived during her teens and learned her Olympic sport of golf in Illinois.
  Robert Sengstacke Abbott, African-American lawyer, newspaper publisher and editor. Studied law and had his newspaper career in Chicago.
  Jessica Abel, comic book writer and artist. Born and educated in Illinois.
  Gertrude Abercrombie, surrealist painter. Lived most of her life in Chicago and known for her association with the city.
  Max Abramovitz, architect. Born and college-educated in Illinois.
  Ben Abruzzo, balloonist. Born and college-educated in Illinois.
  Tony Accardo, organized crime figure. Born and lived entire life in Chicago metropolitan area.
  Barbara Acklin, singer. Came to Illinois at age of five and resided until her death.
  Ron Acks, NFL linebacker 1968–76. Acks was born, attended high school and college in Illinois.
  Valdas Adamkus, president of Lithuania 1998–2009.
context_section_description: Aa–Ag
  Emma Abbott (1850–91), opera soprano.  Born and raised in Illinois until age 16; funeral held in Illinois, but inurned in Massachusetts.
  Margaret Abbott (1878–1955), first modern-era Olympic United States female champion.  Lived during her teens and learned her Olympic sport of golf in Illinois.
  Robert Sengstacke Abbott (1868–1940), African-American lawyer, newspaper publisher and editor.  Studied law and had his newspaper career in Chicago.
  Jessica Abel (1969–living), comic book writer and artist.  Born and educated in Illinois.
  Gertrude Abercrombie (1909–77), surrealist painter.  Lived most of her life in Chicago and known for her association with the city.
  Max Abramovitz (1908–2004), architect.  Born and college-educated in Illinois.
  Ben Abruzzo (1930–85), balloonist.  Born and college-educated in Illinois.
  Tony Accardo (1906–1992), organized crime figure.  Born and lived entire life in Chicago metropolitan area.
  Barbara Acklin (1943–98), singer.  Came to Illinois at age of five and resided until her death.
  Ron Acks (1944–living), NFL linebacker 1968–76.  Acks was born, attended high school and college in Illinois.
  Valdas Adamkus (1926–living), president of Lithuania 1998–2009.  Lived in Illinois for a number of years after emigrating to the United States from Lithuania, getting a college degree and entering Chicago politics.
  Berle Adams (1917–2009), founder of Mercury Records.  Born and lived first thirty years in Illinois.
  Franklin P. Adams (1881–1960), writer, member of Algonquin Round Table.  Described as "a native of Chicago", he found fame and lived most of his life in New York.
  John Hicks Adams (1820–78), gunslinger, Wild West lawman.  Born and attended college in Illinois.
  Katrina Adams (1968–living), president of United States Tennis Association.  Born and educated in Illinois.
  Jane Addams, social worker, teacher, Nobel Peace Prize recipient
  George Ade, author and cartoonist (born in Indiana)
  Paul Adelstein, actor, Prison Break, Private Practice
  Victor Adeyanju, NFL defensive end 2006–10
  Dankmar Adler, architect (born in Germany)
  David Adler, architect (born in Wisconsin)
  Max Adler, founder of Adler Planetarium
  Scott Adsit, actor, writer, improvisational comedian, 30 Rock, Big Hero 6
  John Agar, actor, Sands of Iwo Jima, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, husband of Shirley Temple
  Alex Agase, football player for Cleveland Browns; head coach of Northwestern, Purdue
  Lou Agase, football player for Illinois, coach of CFL's Toronto Argonauts
  Milton Ager, composer, "Ain't She Sweet", "Happy Days Are Here Again"
  Benjamin Agosto, ice dancer, 2006 Turin Olympics silver medalist
  Mark Aguirre, forward for DePaul, NBA's Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons; top pick of 1981 NBA draft
  Ah–Am
  Gene Ahern, cartoonist
  Joe Aiello, organized crime figure (born in Sicily)
  Joseph Aiuppa, organized crime figure
  Stan Albeck, basketball head coach, Bradley, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls
  Abraham Adrian Albert, mathematician
  Eddie Albert, Oscar-nominated actor, Green Acres, Switch, Oklahoma!, Roman Holiday, The Heartbreak Kid, The Longest Yard
  Frankie Albert, quarterback and head coach for San Francisco 49ers, College Football Hall of Famer
  Bruce Alberts, biochemist, original author of Molecular Biology of the Cell
  Steve Albini, musician, producer
  Ted Albrecht, offensive tackle for Purdue and Chicago Bears
  James L. Alcorn, governor and U.S. Senator of Mississippi
  Jody Alderson, swimmer, 1952 Olympic bronze medalist
  Dorothy Aldis, children's author
  Gus Alex, organized crime figure
  Dan Alexander, football player, 2000 Alamo Bowl MVP
  Houston Alexander, mixed martial artist
  Linsey Alexander, blues musician (born in Mississippi)
  Lorez Alexandria, jazz and gospel singer
  Nelson Algren, author, The Man with the Golden Arm, A Walk on the Wild Side (born in Michigan)
  Saul Alinsky, founder of modern community organizing and writer
  Brian Allard, MLB pitcher 1979–81
  Jeff Allen, offensive guard for Kansas City Chiefs
  Joan Allen, Oscar-nominated actress, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Contender, The Upside of Anger, Nixon, Face/Off
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caption: John Ashcroft
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