 Illinois ( styled Sufjan Stevens Invites You To : Come On Feel the Illinoise on the cover ; sometimes written as Illinoise ) is a 2005 concept album by American indie folk songwriter Sufjan Stevens . It is his fifth studio album , and features songs referencing places , events , and persons related to the U.S. state of Illinois . Illinois is Stevens' first album to be released on his own label, Asthmatic Kitty , and his first album to be recorded at his home studio in Chicago , Illinois .
The album's title is a reference to the song " Illinois " by Chicago folk musician John Prine . The album's cover is