Most probably the first person to explore Illinois was a Native American descended from the people who came to North America from Asia. As we have no record of exactly when the first person visited Illinois, we can't know his/her name.
The first Europeans to come to Illinois were fur trappers in the Ohio Valley. In 1673, Father Pierre Marquette and Louis Joliet (Jolliet) traveled down the Mississippi River from the Great Lakes, and traveled along what is now the Illinois River.
Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette were some of the first Europeans to explore Illinois.
Pere Marquette and Louis Joliet were the first two Europeans in Illinois.
la salle
John Cabot was the first person to explore the new world for England.
the first people to discover Illinois was the Paloe Indians in the years 10,000-8,000 BC
roald amundsen
Robert Peary
John Batman
For exploring and to first map the Mississippi river.And to explore parts of Illinois and Wisconsin.
Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet were French explorers who are credited with discovering Illinois in 1673. They are known for being the first Europeans to explore and map the region around present-day Illinois.
Robert Peary
Robert Campbell