Route Description
Illinois 4 starts at Illinois 13 and Illinois 127 at a point about eight miles (13 km) north of Murphysboro. It zigzags through small southern towns such as Steeleville, Sparta, and Marissa, before straightening out near Mascoutah. Illinois 4 is an important road in St. Clair and Madison Counties since it connects many towns on the outskirts of the wider St. Louis metropolitan area (Greater St. Louis; specifically, the Illinois portion, the Metro-East Area). From Carlinville to Springfield, the route is also important since it connects many good-sized towns in Macoupin and Sangamon Counties. Illinois 4 passes through Chatham, a fast-growing city outside of Springfield, before reaching the state's capitol.
Illinois 4 in Springfield is known as Veterans Parkway. It completes the western loop around the city of Springfield, and is a divided four-lane highway that serves Springfield commercial areas such as White Oaks Mall.
It is also worth noting that the northbound lane of IL 4 is in Washington County for less than one mile (1.6 km), on its southwest corner near the unincorporated town of Clarmin where it runs concurrently with IL 13.
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