This was the third consecutive year that the entire top five had past USA experience - and three of the four competed in 2013 (Gina in Iowa). First runner-up in Miss was Jasmine Guy, who was third runner up at Miss IL USA 2013, as well as a semi-finalist in 2010, 2011 and 2014. Second runner-up went to Gina Melchiorri, last year's 1RU and third runner-up to Gemma Berto, who repeated her 2015 placement. Fourth runner-up was Elaina Cokinos, who was competing in Illinois for the first time but was a Teen semi-finalist in Maryland in 2014.
In Teen, Caroline Campbell improved one spot, finishing her Teen years as first runner-up. The rest of the top fifteen, with one exception, were new - but there were very few returning contestants this year.
Miss Illinois USA 2016: Zena Malak (4RU 13)
1RU: Jasmine Guy (SF 14, 3RU 13, SF 11, SF 10)
2RU: Gina Melchiorri (1RU 15, 3RU IA USA 14, 3RU IA USA 13)
3RU: Gemma Berto (3RU 15, SF 14, NF 13)
4RU: Elaina Cokinos (SF MD TUSA 14)
Semi-finalists:
Gabriela Wilewska (NF 13)
Melissa Zeman (SF 10)
Awien Kuanyin-Agoth (Miss South Sudan World 2014)
Megan Vladic
Courtney Ecton
Marcela Gillen
Emily Travis (Miss IL's OT 08)
Ashley Kamins
Abigail Taylor
Gabriella Roth (4RU 15, NF 14)
Jessica Kunamalla
Katielynn Sutterlin
Swimsuit: Zena Malak
Gown: Courtney Ecton
Interview: Gina Melchiorri
Congeniality: Gabrielle Berto
Photogenic: Zena Malak
1RU Caroline Campbell (2RU 15, SF 13)
2RU Ellie McGee
3RU Leah Morris
4RU Serena Napolitano
Semi-finalists:
Isabella Trojanek
Iryna Lozovatska
Chloe Bergmann
Amanda Brockmeier
Alexis McVicker
Katrina Espano
Harleigh Goodman
Briona Mogelberg (NF 14)
Sara Hampsten
Sara Toth
Hannah Kupferschmid
Leah Morris
Swimsuit: Caroline Campbell
Gown: Ellie McGee
Interview: Olivia Pura
Congeniality: Katelyn Mernack
Photogenic: Jasmine Hawkins