Illinois 97 is a north-south route with a sort of NNW-SSE slant that runs from near Knoxville to Springfield.
Intersections from north to south:
US150 2 miles east of Knoxville (just south of I-74)
IL8 at its western end near Maquon
IL97 joins IL9 west for about 2 miles
Then IL97 breaks off and goes south
IL95 at its eastern end near Cuba
IL100 joins IL97 south into Lewistown
IL97 joins US24 east in Lewistown and IL100 follows it west
IL97 turns south away from US24, as IL78 joins IL97 south from the east along US24
Then the 2 routes, (IL78 and IL97 joined together) head east along US136 across the Illinois River, forming a "tripleplex"
IL78 leaves US136 and IL97 to go south at Havana
IL97 breaks off not long after
After that, IL97 heads in a southeasterly direction to Petersburg, where IL123 joins it south
IL123 leaves west
IL97 turns ESE toward Springfield at an intersection with IL125 at that highway's west end
On the western outskirts of the state capital, IL4 crosses IL97
IL29 joins west through downtown Springfield
IL29 leaves south as IL97 is just about to end at the interchange where I-72/US36 joins I-55 south.
It passes through these towns: Knoxville, Maquon, Fairview, Cuba, Lewistown, Havana, Kilbourne, Oakford, Atterberry, Petersburg, Salisbury, and Springfield.
