This list of tallest buildings in Illinois outside of Chicago ranks skyscrapers and high-rises in the U.S. State of Illinois by height excluding Chicago. This list encompasses both Downstate Illinois and cities within the Chicago metropolitan area. The tallest building in Illinois excluding Chicago is Oakbrook Terrace Tower in Oakbrook Terrace, a Chicago suburb. The tallest building in Illinois excluding Chicago is the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. The tallest habitable building in Downstate Illinois is Wyndham Springfield City Centre in Springfield.
The majority of buildings on this list were built in the mid-late 20th century, although the oldest building is the 1928 Leland Tower in Aurora. In the 21st century, only Evanston and Champaign have built new buildings over 200 ft (61 m). As of September 2025, they are also the only cities to have any buildings approved or proposed at this height.
This list ranks buildings that stand at least 200 ft (61 m) tall, based on standard height measurement.
| Rank | Name | Image | Height | Floors | Year | City | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakbrook Terrace Tower | | 418 ft (127 m) | 31 | 1987 | Oakbrook Terrace | [1] |
| 2 | Illinois State Capitol | | 361 ft (110 m) | 5 | 1888 | Springfield | [2] |
| 3 | Wyndham Springfield City Centre | | 352 ft (107 m) | 30 | 1974 | Springfield | [3] |
| 4 | Watterson Towers | | 298.5 ft (91.0 m) | 28 | 1969 | Normal | [4] |
| ~5 | Schaumburg Towers I | 294 ft (90 m) | 20 | 1986 | Schaumburg | [5] | |
| ~5 | Schaumburg Towers II | ||||||
| ~7 | Twin Towers 1 | 282 ft (86 m) | 29 | 1984 | Peoria | [6] | |
| ~7 | Twin Towers 2 | ||||||
| ~7 | Woodfield Corporate Center | 282 ft (86 m) | 21 | 1986 | Schaumburg | [7] | |
| 10 | Orrington Plaza | 277 ft (84 m) | 22 | 1969 | Evanston | Also known as Bank One Building, State National Bank Building, NBD Bank Building, First Chicago Bank Building, and the Chase Bank Building [8] | |
| 11 | Sherman Plaza | 276 ft (84 m) | 25 | 2007 | Evanston | Also known as The Shermaniator [9] | |
| 12 | 309 Green | 268 ft (82 m) | 24 | 2009 | Champaign | [10] | |
| 13 | HERE | | 267 ft (81 m) | 26 | 2015 | Champaign | [10] |
| 14 | Optima Views | 265 ft (81 m) | 28 | 2003 | Evanston | [11] | |
| 15 | Leland Tower | | 22 | 1928 | Aurora | ||
| 16 | Associated Bank Plaza | 243 ft (74 m) | 20 | 1961 | Peoria | [12] | |
| 17 | One Rotary Center | 237 ft (72 m) | 18 | 1977 | Evanston | [13] | |
| 18 | Park Evanston Apartments | 236 ft (72 m) | 24 | 1997 | Evanston | [14] | |
| 19 | Burnham 310 | | 224 ft (68 m) | 18 | 2008 | Champaign | [10] |
| 20 | The Tower at Third | | 205 ft (62 m) | 21 | 1972 | Champaign | [10] |
| 21 | Joshua Arms | 203 ft (62 m) | 19 | 1978 | Joliet | Previously known as Salem Tower [15] [16] |
| Name | Height | Floors | Year (est.) | City | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 605 Davis Street | 330 ft (100 m) | 31 | Evanston | Approved | [17] | |
| 900 Clark Street | 315 ft (96 m) | 27 | Evanston | Under Review | [17] | |
| 201 E. Green St. | 16 | Champaign | Approved | [18] |