You've probably seen them hundreds of times, if you're an Illinois resident. I've noticed them since I was a kid, but until I started doing some research, I didn't know very much about them other than the fact that they're pretty big.
Unless you grew up in Alaska or Hawaii, you've probably seen turkey vultures multiple times throughout your life, especially here in Illinois and throughout the Midwest. Turkey vultures can be found in every single state in the lower 48.
With a wingspan of nearly 6 feet, you'd think they'd be the largest bird in the state of Illinois, but they're actually Illinois' fifth-largest:
American White Pelican
Golden Eagle
Bald Eagle
Sandhill Crane
Turkey Vulture
They're sometimes called "Turkey Buzzards," but they're not buzzards. According to HowStuff