Illinois elected its United States Representative At-Large on a general ticket upon achieving statehood December 3, 1818. It last elected a US Representative in the Election of 1946. The district has been inactive since.
From statehood to 1833, Illinois had only one congressional district, and therefore it was at-large.
From 1863 to 1873 there was one at-large seat in addition to the districted seats.
From 1893 to 1895, there were two at-large seats in addition to the districted seats.
Two at-large seats were re-established March 4, 1913. From that date to January 3, 1943, there were two at-large seats, which was reduced to one seat from 1943 to 1949. Representation by districts also continued during this period. The at-large seat was abolished effective January 3, 1949.