The 16th Congressional District of Illinois, one of the most diverse in the nation, includes nine counties across northern Illinois. The district includes the counties of Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Carroll, about two-thirds of McHenry County, the northern half of DeKalb County and the northern third of Whiteside County.
The district is heavy in manufacturing and agriculture, especially livestock. On the eastern side, McHenry and Boone are two of the state's fastest growing counties. Both counties still boast large areas of farmland. But they are experiencing heavy migrations of residents from the Chicago area and the challenges that come with growth, especially traffic congestion.
Winnebago County, the most populated county in the district, is home to one of the state's largest cities -- Rockford. Rockford is home to more than 950 factories with 850 of them employing 100 or fewer people. Per capita, Rockford is one of the most densely populated manufacturing communities in the United States. Rockford is the largest producer of fasteners in the world. It is considered the world's tool and die capital, as well.
Stephenson County is home to the City of Freeport, another manufacturing city and the site of the second Lincoln-Douglas debate in 1858. The county also boasts a new ethanol plant and a heavy agricultural base. Stephenson County's farm production ranks #2 in dairy, #2 in oats, #2 in hay and #6 in sheep of Illinois' 102 counties.
Jo Daviess County is home to the City of Galena, one of the state's leading tourism locations. Jo Daviess County is also heavy in agriculture, ranking #1 in beef cows, #1 in oats, #1 in hay and #2 in dairy production in Illinois.
DeKalb County is home to Northern Illinois University, one of the state's most popular institutions of higher education. DeKalb County is also a heavy agricultural producer, ranking #1 in hogs, #6 in sheep, #10 in cattle and #10 in oats production in Illinois.
Ogle County is home to some of the Midwest's most beautiful forest preserves and scenic spots along the Rock River. Ogle County is also home to the Byron Nuclear Power Plant and the $181 million Union Pacific intermodal transportation hub, which is luring new industry to northern Illinois because of its unique ability to move commerce. Ogle County also has an ethanol plant in the works and is heavy in agriculture, ranking #2 in sheep, #6 in cattle, #7 in hay and #8 in oats production in Illinois.
Carroll County is situated just south of Jo Daviess County along the Mississippi River and boasts many unique and beautiful natural areas. It's a favorite nesting site for Bald Eagles and other birds migrating up and down the river. Carroll County also has a strong agricultural base, ranking #4 in cattle and #7 in dairy production in Illinois.
Whiteside County is home to the community of Sterling, which features a steel-related industrial base heavy in hardware and fastener manufacturing. Whiteside County is also situated along the banks of the Mississippi River and is heavy in agriculture, ranking #9 in cattle production in Illinois.
