Miss Illinois USA


The Miss Illinois USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state Illinois in the Miss USA pageant. It is directed by Vanbros and Associates and is previously directed by D&D Productions from 2001 to 2014 before becoming part of Vanbros organization in 2014, headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas.
Illinois is one of the most successful states in the competition. It is one of only four states to have won four or more Miss USA titles and one of only four states to win two Miss USA titles in consecutive years. All four winners came from the early history of the competition, with their last Miss USA being Karen Morrison, who held the title in 1974. The pageant's most successful years were from 1984 to 1996, when all but two delegates made the cut at Miss USA. That period was followed by many years without a placement.
In 1986, sisters Tricia and Laura Bach won the title consecutively, the first occasion of this in the history of the Miss Universe organization. Later on, in 1994, Kathleen Farrell, sister of Miss Florida USA 1988, won the title, making the state pageant the first to have two sisters compete in Miss USA.
Olivia Pura of Deer Park was crowned Miss Illinois USA 2020 on September 2, 2019 at Braden Auditorium in Bloomington-Normal. She will represent Illinois for the title of Miss USA 2020 on the summer of 2020.

Results summary

Placements

Illinois holds a record of 28 placements at Miss USA.

Awards

;Color key
YearNameHometownAge1Placement at Miss USASpecial awards at Miss USANotes
2020Olivia PuraDeer Park21TBDTBD
2019Alexandra PlotzGeneva24
  • Previously Miss Illinois Teen USA 2012
  • *Top 16 at Miss Teen USA 2012
  • Later Miss Illinois World 2019
  • *Top 25 at Miss World America 2019
    • 2018Karolina JaskoFranklin Park20Previously Miss Polonia Illinois USA 2017
    2017Whitney WandlandChicago24Top 5Chicago Bulls Luvabull
    2016Zena MalakCarol Stream23Previously Miss Illinois Galaxy 2011
    2015Renee WroneckiBurbank22Top 15
    2014Lexi AtkinsChampaign21
  • Previously Miss Illinois Teen USA 2010
  • *1st runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2010
    • 2013Stacie JurisTinley Park222nd runner-upPreviously Miss Illinois Teen USA 2009
    2012Ashley HooksFlossmoor25
    2011Angela SparrowChicago26Indiana Pacers Pacemate
    2010Ashley BradarichHomer Glen23Sister of Carlyn Bradarich, Miss Iowa USA 2014
    2009Ashley BondOswego24Chicago Bulls Luvabull
    2008Shanon LerschChicago25Chicago Bulls Luvabull
    2007Mia HeastonChicago25
    2006Catherine WarrenLake Forest23Top 15Contestant on The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman
    2005Jill GulsethGeneva213rd runner-up
    2004Molly GrahamMontgomery24
    2003Agnieszka ZakretaRolling Meadows24Miss Tourism International 1999 as Miss Polonia
    2002Amanda ReynoldsMarion23Contestant at National Sweetheart 2001
    2001Rebecca AmbrosiChicago24
    2000Constance StoetzerAbingdon26
    1999Christina LamMakanda19
  • Later Mrs. Tennessee America 2007 under her married name, Christina Ryan
  • *1st runner-up at Mrs. America 2007
    • 1998Mandy LaneElizabethtown21Contestant in Fear Factor USA Christmas Edition & Fear Factor USA Second Chance Episode
    1997Jennifer SalinasSouth Holland21
    1996Bernadette PrzybycienChicago24Semi-finalist
    1995Nichole HolmesMarion202nd runner-upMiss Photogenic
    1994Kathleen FarrellChicago24Top 10 Semi-finalist
  • Miss Illinois 1992
  • Sister of Monica Farrell, Miss Florida USA 1988 who was 3rd runner up at Miss USA 1988
    • 1993Susie ParkChicago25
    1992Leilani MagnussenGlendale Heights21
    1991Lisa MorganInverness21Top 6 FinalistMiss Teenage America 1986.
    1990Karla MyersChicago22Semi-finalist
    1989Kelly HolubBuffalo Grove22Semi-finalistBest State Costume award
    1988Gina ZordaniPalos Heights23Semi-finalist
    1987Joan BergeArlington Heights21Semi-finalist
    1986Tricia BachElmhurst22Semi-finalistMiss Teen All American 1983, sister of Miss Illinois USA 1985
    1985Laura BachElmhurst232nd Runner-up1st runner up at Miss Oktoberfest 1986, sister of Miss Illinois USA 1986
    1984LaVonne MisselleToluca19Semi-finalist
    1983Vanessa RomineRockford24
    1982Carla DanielsonChicago21
    1981Leslie RenfrowChicago214th runner up at Miss Oktoberfest 1980
    1980Karen GroatPrinceton18
    1979Debra NiegoOak Lawn203rd Runner-upMiss Oktoberfest 1979
    1978Suzanne PichéLombard22Represented Illinois at Miss World USA 1974.
    1977Elizabeth CurranPark Ridge21Miss Photogenic
    1976Kathy SchmalenOak Lawn18Semi-finalist
    1975Connie ReifWheeling18
    1974Karen MorrisonSt. Charles19Miss USA 1974Semifinalist at Miss Universe 1974
    1973Amanda JonesEvanston22Miss USA 19731st runner up at Miss Universe 1973
    1972Jani HallBig Rock21
    1971Paulette BreenChicago24
    1970Carol PepoonSkokie18
    1969Christine JallowayChicago23
    1968Sandra WolsfeldWheaton21Miss World USA 1970, semifinalist in Miss World 1970
    1967Beverly LacekChicago23Semi-finalist
    1966Cheryl SetserWoodstock19
    1965Diane GortzSchiller Park18
    1964Karen WiesbrookWheaton18
    1963Marite OzersChicago19Miss USA 1963Semifinalist at Miss Universe 1963, represented Chicago, IL in Miss USA World 1962, did not place. Born in Latvia.
    1962Jean DonnellyDekalb20Semi-finalist
    1961Dianne DuffeyElmhurst19
    1960Patricia ThompsonChicago21
    1959Arlene KayeWestern Springs19
    1958June PickneyChicago223rd Runner-up
    1957Marianne GabaChicago18Semi-finalistPlayboy playmate September 1959
    1956Muriel BlairChicago23
    1955Betty DaniggelisChicago18Semi-finalistWinner of the 1955 National Press Photographers Pageant
    1954Celeste RavelChicago234th Runner-up
    1953Myrna HansenChicago17Miss USA 19531st runner up at Miss Universe 1953; had been a finalist in the National Press Photographers pageant in 1953
    1952Sherry MatulisPeoria19
    1 Age at the time of the Miss USA pageant