page_title: List of people from Illinois
section_title: L
hierarchical_section_title: List of people from Illinois / L
caption_attribution_description: English: Photograph from the last formal portrait sitting, Feb. 5, 1865, in Washington, D.C. "One of five poses taken by Gardner ten weeks before the President was assassinated." (Source: Ostendorf, p. 219)
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: La–Ld
  Walter LaBerge, Under Secretary of Army, Air Force, NATO
  Harry Lachman, film director, Dante's Inferno, Our Relations
  Bob Lackey, basketball player for Marquette and ABA's New York Nets
  Ethel Lackie, swimmer, two gold medals in 1924 Summer Olympics
  Matt LaCosse, tight end for the New England Patriots
  Tyler Ladendorf, second baseman for the Oakland Athletics
  Carl Laemmle, motion picture mogul (born in Germany)
  Carl Laemmle Jr., head of Universal Pictures
  Carla Laemmle, silent-film actress
  A.G. Lafley, CEO of Procter & Gamble (born in New Hampshire)
  Jewel Lafontant, attorney, figure in George H.W. Bush administration
  Kyung Lah, Tokyo-based international correspondent for CNN
  Ray LaHood, politician (Republican), state and U.S. Representative, U.S. Secretary of Transportation 2009–13
  Bill Laimbeer, basketball player and coach (born in Massachusetts)
  Frankie Laine, singer and actor, known for themes to 3:10 to Yuma, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Rawhide, Blazing Saddles
  Jean La Lime, early Chicago settler (born in Canada)
  Ricardo Lamas, mixed martial-arts fighter
  Derek Lamely, golfer
  Robert Lamm, musician, songwriter for band Chicago
  Gene Lamont, MLB catcher, coach and manager
  Robert P. Lamont, U.S. Secretary of Commerce 1927–32 (born in Michigan)
  Amy Landecker, actress, A Serious Man, Louie, Transparent
  Ann Landers (Ruth Crowley, Eppie Lederer), advice columnist
  James Landis, noted power engineer
  Jessie Royce Landis, actress, North by Northwest, To Catch a Thief
  John Landis, film director, National Lampoon's Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Trading Places, Michael Jackson's Thriller
  Kenesaw Mountain Landis, judge, baseball commissioner, banned eight Black Sox (born in Ohio)
  Reed G. Landis, combat pilot, son of Judge Landis
  Margaret Landon, author, Anna and the King of Siam (born in Wisconsin)
  Truman H. Landon, Air Force general (born in Missouri)
  Hobie Landrith, catcher for seven MLB teams
  Mabel Landry, 4-time U.S. champion in long jump
  Eric Lane, actor
  Matteo Lane, comedian
  Nora Lane, actress, The Man Hunter, The Cisco Kid
  Tami Lane, Oscar-winning makeup artist
  Will Lang Jr., war correspondent, bureau chief for Life magazine
  Harris Laning, admiral
  Sherry Lansing, actress and CEO of Paramount Pictures
  Lauren Lapkus, actress, Orange Is the New Black, Are You There, Chelsea?, Clipped, Jurassic World
  Alison LaPlaca, actress, Open House, Madhouse
  Angelo J. LaPietra, mobster with Chicago Outfit
  John Lardner, war correspondent, New York sportswriter
  Ring Lardner, early 20th-century sportswriter, author, composer, lyricist (born in Michigan)
  Ring Lardner Jr., Oscar-winning screenwriter, Woman of the Year, The Cincinnati Kid, M*A*S*H
  Rod La Rocque, actor, The Locked Door, Forbidden Paradise
  Norm Larsen, industrial chemist, inventor of WD-40
  René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, explorer
  Kirke La Shelle, reporter, editor, playwright, producer
  Albert Lasker, advertising executive, co-owned Chicago Cubs 1916–25 (born in Germany)
  Jonathan Latimer, author and screenwriter
  Johnny Lattner, football player, Heisman Trophy winner for Notre Dame
  Arnold Laven, director and producer, The Rifleman, The Big Valley, Rough Night in Jericho, Sam Whiskey
  Hazel Lavery, artist and model
  Jackie LaVine, swimmer, 1952 Olympic bronze medalist
  Ralph Lawler, radio-TV broadcaster of Los Angeles Clippers
  Carol Lawrence, singer and actress
  George R. Lawrence, photographer and aviator
  Robert Henry Lawrence Jr., jet pilot and astronaut
  Victor F. Lawson, publisher of Chicago Daily News 1876–1925
  Don Laz, pole vaulter, silver medalist in 1952 Summer Olympics
  Le–Lh
  Cloris Leachman, Oscar-winning, 8-time Emmy-winning actress, The Last Picture Show, Mary Tyler Moore, 1946 Miss Illinois (born in Iowa)
  Brett Lebda, NHL defenseman 2005–11
  Pepi Lederer, silent-film actress
  Ang Lee, Oscar-winning director, Illinois alumnus
  Doug Lee, NBA player 1991–95
  Mary Lee, actress, Cowboy and the Senorita, South of the Border
  Russell Lee, photographer
  Dan LeFevour, pro football quarterback
  Joan Lefkow, judge (born in Kansas)
  Lance LeGault, actor, The A-Team
  Ernest de Koven Le
caption: Abraham Lincoln
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