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 Shawnee.
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.
Until 2013, no Illinois delegate had previously competed at Miss Illinois Teen USA but one was previously competed in Miss Illinois, Stacie Juris became the first former Teen titleholder to appear a crossover in Miss USA, the second-to-the last state to do so (Washington would make its first Teen to Miss crossover four years later). The most recent placement was Grace Rodi placing Top 20 in 2024.
Vivica Lewandowski of Barrington was crowned Miss Illinois USA 2026 on May 24, 2026, at Braden Auditorium in Normal. She will represent Illinois at Miss USA 2026.
Gallery of titleholders
Results summary
Placements Miss USAs: Myrna Hansen (1953), Marite Ozers (1963), Amanda Jones (1973), Karen Morrison (1974) 2nd runners-up: Laura Bach (1985), Nichole Holmes (1995), Stacie Juris (2013) 3rd runners-up: June Pickney (1958), Debra Niego (1979), Jill Gulseth (2005), Sydni Dion Bennett (2021) 4th runners-up: Celeste Ravel (1954), Angel Reyes (2022) Top 5/6: Lisa Morgan (1991), Whitney Wandland (2017) Top 10/12: Kathy Schmalen (1976), LaVonne Misselle (1984), Tricia Bach (1986), Joan Berge (1987), Gina Zordani (1988), Kelly Holub (1989), Carla Myers (1990), Kathleen Farrell (1994), Bernadette Przybycien (1996), Olivia Pura (2020) Top 15: Dianne Daniggelis (1955), Marianne Gaba (1957), Jean Donnelly (1962), Beverly Lacek (1967), Catherine Warren (2006), Renee Wronecki (2015) Top 20: Samantha Elliott (2023), Grace Rodi (2024)
Illinois holds a record of 33 placements at Miss USA.
Awards Miss Photogenic: Elizabeth Curran (1977), Nichole Holmes (1995), Angel Reyes (2022) Best State Costume: Kelly Holub (1989)
Titleholders
Color key
Year Name HometownAge Local title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes 2026 Vivica Lewandowski Barrington 21 Miss Heartland Previously Miss Illinois Teen USA 2023 Top 20 at Miss Teen USA 2023 Daughter of Miss Illinois USA 1998 Mandy Lane Lewandowski 2025 Nikolina Vujcic Des Plaines 23 Miss Des Plaines Later Miss Universe Serbia 2026 2024 Grace Rodi Hinsdale 23 Miss Dupage County Top 20 2023 Samantha Jo Elliott Freeport 22 Miss Freeport Top 20 Represented United States at Miss Cosmo 2024. Top 5 at Miss Cosmo 2024. 2022 Angeliz "Angel" Reyes Chicago 25 Miss Hermosa 4th runner-up Miss PhotogenicLater Miss Charm USA 2024 2021 Sydni Dion Bennett Algonquin 20 Miss Greater Midwest 3rd runner-up Previously Miss Illinois Teen USA 2018 3rd runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2018 2020 Olivia Pura Deer Park 22 Miss North Shore Top 10 Previously Miss Illinois Teen USA 2016 Top 15 at Miss Teen USA 2016 Longest reigning Miss Illinois USA at 2019 Alexandra Marie Plotz Geneva 24 Miss Geneva 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 2018 Karolina Jasko Franklin Park 20 Miss Franklin Park 2017 Whitney Wandland Chicago 24 Miss Greater Chicago Top 5Chicago Bulls Luvabull 2016 Zena Malak Carol Stream 23 Miss Carol Stream Previously Miss Illinois Galaxy 2011 2015 Renee Wronecki Burbank 22 Miss Burbank Top 15 2014 Alexis "Lexi" Atkins Champaign 21Previously Miss Illinois Teen USA 2010 1st runner-up at Miss Teen USA 2010 2013 Stacie Juris Tinley Park 22 2nd runner-up Previously Miss Illinois Teen USA 2009 2012 Ashley Sherelle Hooks Flossmoor 25 2011 Angela Sparrow Chicago 26 Indiana Pacers Pacemate 2010 Ashley Bradarich Homer Glen 23 Sister of Carlyn Bradarich, Miss Iowa USA 2014 2009 Ashley Bond Oswego 24 Chicago Bulls Luvabull2008 Shanon Lersch Chicago 25 Chicago Bulls Luvabull2007 Mia Heaston Chicago 25 2006 Catherine Warren Lake Forest 23 Top 15 Contestant on The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman 2005 Jill Gulseth Geneva 21 3rd runner-up 2004 Molly Graham Montgomery 24 2003 Agnieszka Anna "Agnes" Zakreta Rolling Meadows 24 Miss Tourism International 1999 as Miss Polonia 2002 Amanda Sue Reynolds Marion 23 Contestant at National Sweetheart 2001 2001 Rebecca Ambrosi Chicago 24 Miss Lincoln Park 2000 Constance Renee Stoetzer Abingdon 26 Miss Peoria 1999 Christina Marie Lam Makanda 19 Later Mrs. Tennessee America 2007 under her married name, Christina Ryan 1st runner-up at Mrs. America 2007 1998 Mandy Jo Lane Elizabethtown 21 Contestant in Fear Factor USA Christmas Edition (4th place) & Fear Factor USA Second Chance Episode (2nd place) 1997 Jennifer Salinas South Holland 21 1996 Bernadette Przybycien Chicago 24 Semi-finalist 1995 Nichole Lynn Holmes Marion 20 2nd runner-up 1994 Kathleen Farrell Chicago 24 Top 10 Semi-finalist Miss Illinois 1992 (non-finalist Talent award at Miss America 1993) Sister of Monica Farrell, Miss Florida USA 1988 who was 3rd runner up at Miss USA 1988 1993 Susie Park Chicago 25 First Asian American to win the title of Miss Illinois USA 1992 Leilani Magnussen Glendale Heights 21 1991 Lisa Michele Morgan Inverness 21 Top 6 Miss Teenage America 1986.Purdom, Candace (21 April 1991). C-h-e-e-r-s, Chicago Tribune 1990 Karla Myers Chicago 22 Top 12 1989 Kelly Holub Buffalo Grove 22 Semi-finalist Best State Costume 1988 Gina Marie Zordani Palos Heights 23 Semi-finalist 1987 Joan Elizabeth Berge Arlington Heights 21 Semi-finalist 1986 Tricia Therese Bach Elmhurst 22 Semi-finalist Miss Teen All American 1983, sister of Miss Illinois USA 1985 1985 Laura Ann Bach Elmhurst 23 2nd Runner-up 1st runner up at Miss Oktoberfest 1986 Sister of Miss Illinois USA 1986 1984 LaVonne Ranae Misselle Toluca 19 Semi-finalist 1983 Vanessa Lon Romine Rockford 24 1982 Carla Jo Danielson Chicago 21 1981 Leslie Kay Renfrow Chicago 21 4th runner-up at Miss Oktoberfest 1980 1980 Karen Marie Groat Princeton 18 1979 Debra Ann "Debbie" Niego Oak Lawn 20 3rd Runner-up Miss Oktoberfest 1979 1978 Suzanne Piché Lombard 22 Represented Illinois at Miss World USA 1974. 1977 Elizabeth Curran Park Ridge 21 Miss Photogenic 1976 Kathy Ann Schmalen Oak Lawn 18 Semi-finalist 1975 Connie Reif Wheeling 18 1974 Melinda Staiger Aurora 19 Succeeded Karen Morrison as Miss Illinois USA 1974 Karen Jean Morrison St. Charles 19 Miss USA 1974 Semifinalist at Miss Universe 1974 1973 Deanna Hanson Aurora 19 Succeeded Amanda Jones as Miss Illinois USA 1973 Amanda Clara Jones Evanston 22 Miss USA 1973 1st runner up at Miss Universe 1973 1972 Jani Hall Big Rock 21 1971 Paulette Breen Chicago 24 1970 Carol Pepoon Skokie 18 1969 Christine Jalloway Chicago 23 1968 Sandra Ann "Sandie" Wolsfeld Wheaton 21 Miss World USA 1970, semifinalist in Miss World 1970 1967 Beverly Lacek Chicago 23 Semi-finalist 1966 Cheryl Setser Woodstock 19 1965 Diane Gortz Schiller Park 18 1964 Karen Sue Wiesbrook Wheaton 18 1963 Marite Ozers Chicago 19 Miss USA 1963 Semifinalist at Miss Universe 1963, represented Chicago, IL in Miss USA World 1962, did not place. Born in Latvia. 1962 Jean Donnelly DeKalb 20 Semi-finalist 1961 Dianne Duffey Elmhurst 19 1960 Patricia "Pat" Thompson Chicago 21 1959 Arlene Kaye Western Springs 19 1958 June Pickney Chicago 22 3rd Runner-up 1957 Marianne Gaba Chicago 18 Semi-finalist Playboy playmate September 1959 1956 Muriel "Mickey" Blair Chicago 23 1955 Diane Daniggelis Chicago 18 Semi-finalist Winner of the 1955 National Press Photographers Pageant 1954 Celeste Ravel Chicago 23 4th Runner-up 1953 Myrna Rae Hansen Chicago 17 Miss USA 1953 1st runner up at Miss Universe 1953; had been a finalist in the National Press Photographers pageant in 1953 1952 Sherri Matulis Peoria 20
References
External links Miss Illinois USA website