People have been seeing a Bigfoot like creature in Illinois for centuries. The native people of Illinois describe such a creature as well. Whether it is real, misidentification, or a hoax is up for debate but the topic of Bigfoot itself is clearly worthy of academic study. This guide helps point to books at WIU, good websites, and electronic resources that can be accessed to study the topic. Please remember that the name Bigfoot itself was created by popular culture in the 1950s and those studying older records (such as newspapers) should search other words describing the phenomenon including wild man, bushman, gorilla, ape, hairy man, and other variants. Bigfoot is a new name but the sightings are not and using a varied search vocabulary will be helpful on this topic. For the Bigfoot guide for ANTH 215 students, visit https://wiu.libguides.com/c.php?g=544503&p=9576548.
Anatomy of a Beast by 
When Bigfoot Attacks by 
Where Bigfoot Walks by 
Bigfoot!: the True Story of Apes in America by 
Bigfoot Exposed by 
Bigfoot Casebook Updated by 
Recasting Bigfoot by 
Bigfoot and Other Legendary Creatures by 
Bigfoot : the Yeti and Sasquatch in Myth and Reality by 
Finding Bigfoot: Everything You Need to Know by 
Abominable Science! by 
Sasquatch: Legend Meets Science by 
American Monsters by 
Monsters and Water Beasts by 
Bigfoot is a cryptid, a creature whose existence is often disputed due to a lack of concrete evidence. The legend of Bigfoot has been around for decades, with sightings and stories stretching across North America. Many people believe that Bigfoot could exist, and there are many reasons why it could be in Illinois.
Firstly, Illinois has a diverse landscape, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands, which could provide suitable habitats for Bigfoot. The state's Shawnee National Forest is especially notable for its dense forests and rugged terrain, which could provide ideal conditions for Bigfoot to hide and thrive. In addition, Illinois is home to many rivers, creeks, and lakes, which could provide ample water sources for the creature.
Another reason why Bigfoot could be in Illinois is that the state has a long history of sightings and reports of strange and unexplained phenomena. For example, there have been numerous reports of strange noises, footprints, and sightings of large, hairy creatures in the state. While many of these sightings have been dismissed as hoaxes or misidentifications, there is still a possibility that they could be evidence of Bigfoot.
However, there are also many challenges to looking for Bigfoot in Illinois. One of the biggest obstacles is the sheer size of the state. Illinois covers an area of over 57,000 square miles, and searching for a creature like Bigfoot in such a large area would be a daunting task. Moreover, Bigfoot is known for its elusive nature, and it could be extremely difficult to track or capture it even if it were in Illinois.
Another challenge is the lack of concrete evidence for Bigfoot's existence. Despite decades of sightings and reports, there is no definitive proof that Bigfoot exists. Skeptics argue that many sightings can be explained by misidentifications or hoaxes, and the lack of physical evidence such as bones, hair, or DNA samples is often cited as evidence that the creature does not exist. There are many Bigfoot videos on this topic. This Cryptid Blog has some Bigfoot and Yeti articles.
In conclusion, while it is impossible to say for sure whether Bigfoot exists, there are many reasons why it could be in Illinois. The state's diverse landscape, history of sightings, and reports of strange phenomena all suggest that it is a potential habitat for the creature. However, the challenges of searching for Bigfoot, including the size of the state and the lack of concrete evidence, make the quest to find the creature a difficult and ongoing one.