Effingham, Illinois is located at the intersection of two Interstates (70 and 57), in the east central region of the state, about 3.5 hours south of Chicago. With a population slightly over 12,000, Effingham’s economy is currently rooted in its presence at these crossroads. As such, the town bills itself as the “Crossroads of Opportunity”.
Effingham is home to a famous cross of another kind, too. A 198-foot cross was erected along I-57/70 by The Effingham Cross Foundation in 2001, promoting “the values of faith and family”, along with a ten commandments display. The cross is billed as one of the largest in the world, and is also Effingham’s biggest tourist attraction.
Because of its location at an interstate crossroads, Effingham has a plethora of retail, hotel and fast food options for a city of its size. Another reason for a relative abundance of offerings is Effingham’s distance from larger cities. The nearest major city, St. Louis, is 100 miles away, and the nearest major mall is in Terre Haute, Indiana, over 60 miles away.
Downtown Effingham, located a couple miles off the interstates, offers around 25 local shops and services in an intimate, typical midwestern small-town atmosphere.