Miss Illinois USA

For the state pageant affiliated with Miss America, see Miss Illinois.

Miss Illinois USA
Formation1952
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersShawnee
Location
MembershipMiss USA
Official language
English
Key people
John M. Vannatta
Jason Vannatta
Jennifer Vannatta-Fisher, State Pageant Director
WebsiteOfficial website

The Miss Illinois USA pageant is a competition that selects the representative for the state Illinois in the Miss USA pageant. It is directed by Vanbros and Associates and is previously directed by D&D Productions from 2001 to 2014 before becoming part of Vanbros organization in 2014, headquartered in Shawnee.[1]

Illinois is one of the most successful states in the competition. It is one of only four states to have won four or more Miss USA titles and one of only four states to win two Miss USA titles in consecutive years. All four winners came from the early history of the competition, with their last Miss USA being Karen Morrison, who held the title in 1974. The pageant's most successful years were from 1984 to 1996, when all but two delegates made the cut at Miss USA. That period was followed by many years without a placement.

In 1986, sisters Tricia and Laura Bach won the title consecutively, the first occasion of this in the history of the Miss Universe organization.[2] Later on, in 1994, Kathleen Farrell, sister of Miss Florida USA 1988, won the title, making the state pageant the first to have two sisters compete in Miss USA.

Until 2013, no Illinois delegate had previously competed at Miss Illinois Teen USA but one was previously competed in Miss Illinois, Stacie Juris became the first former Teen titleholder to appear a crossover in Miss USA, the second-to-the last state to do so (Washington would make its first Teen to Miss crossover four years later). The most recent placement was Grace Rodi placing Top 20 in 2024.

Nikolina Vujcic of Des Plaines was crowned Miss Illinois USA 2025 on May 25, 2025, at Braden Auditorium in Normal. She represented Illinois at Miss USA 2025.

Results summary

Placements

  • Miss USAs: Myrna Hansen (1953), Marite Ozers (1963), Amanda Jones (1973), Karen Morrison (1974)
  • 2nd runners-up: Laura Bach (1985), Nichole Holmes (1995), Stacie Juris (2013)
  • 3rd runners-up: June Pickney (1958), Debra Niego (1979), Jill Gulseth (2005), Sydni Dion Bennett (2021)
  • 4th runners-up: Celeste Ravel (1954), Angel Reyes (2022)
  • Top 5/6: Lisa Morgan (1991), Whitney Wandland (2017)
  • Top 10/12: Kathy Schmalen (1976), LaVonne Misselle (1984), Tricia Bach (1986), Joan Berge (1987), Gina Zordani (1988), Kelly Holub (1989), Carla Myers (1990), Kathleen Farrell (1994), Bernadette Przybycien (1996), Olivia Pura (2020)
  • Top 15: Dianne Daniggelis (1955), Marianne Gaba (1957), Jean Donnelly (1962), Beverly Lacek (1967), Catherine Warren (2006), Renee Wronecki (2015)
  • Top 20: Samantha Elliott (2023), Grace Rodi (2024)

Illinois holds a record of 33 placements at Miss USA.

Awards

  • Miss Photogenic: Elizabeth Curran (1977), Nichole Holmes (1995), Angel Reyes (2022)
  • Best State Costume: Kelly Holub (1989)

Titleholders

Color key
  •   Declared as Winner
  •   Ended as runner-up
  •   Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
Year Name Hometown Age[a] Local title Placement at Miss USA Special awards at Miss USA Notes
2025 Nikolina Vujcic Des Plaines 23 Miss Des Plaines
2024 Grace Rodi Hinsdale 23 Miss Dupage County Top 20
2023 Samantha Jo Elliott Freeport 22 Miss Freeport Top 20
2022 Angeliz "Angel" Reyes Chicago 25 Miss Hermosa 4th runner-up Miss Photogenic
  • Later Miss Charm USA 2024
2021 Sydni Dion Bennett Algonquin 20 Miss Greater Midwest 3rd runner-up
2020 Olivia Pura Deer Park 22 Miss North Shore Top 10
2019 Alexandra Marie Plotz Geneva 24 Miss Geneva
2018 Karolina Jasko Franklin Park 20 Miss Franklin Park
2017 Whitney Wandland Chicago 24 Miss Greater Chicago Top 5 Chicago Bulls Luvabull
2016 Zena Malak Carol Stream 23 Miss Carol Stream
  • Previously Miss Illinois Galaxy 2011
2015 Renee Wronecki Burbank 22 Miss Burbank Top 15
2014 Alexis "Lexi" Atkins Champaign 21
2013 Stacie Juris Tinley Park 22 2nd runner-up
2012 Ashley Sherelle Hooks Flossmoor 25
2011 Angela Sparrow Chicago 26 Indiana Pacers Pacemate
2010 Ashley Bradarich Homer Glen 23 Sister of Carlyn Bradarich, Miss Iowa USA 2014
2009 Ashley Bond Oswego 24 Chicago Bulls Luvabull
2008 Shanon Lersch Chicago 25 Chicago Bulls Luvabull
2007 Mia Heaston Chicago 25
2006 Catherine Warren Lake Forest 23 Top 15 Contestant on The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman
2005 Jill Gulseth Geneva 21 3rd runner-up
2004 Molly Graham Montgomery 24
2003 Agnieszka Anna Zakreta Rolling Meadows 24
2002 Amanda Sue Reynolds Marion 23 Contestant at National Sweetheart 2001
2001 Rebecca Ambrosi Chicago 24
2000 Constance Renee Stoetzer Abingdon 26
1999 Christina Marie Lam Makanda 19
  • Later Mrs. Tennessee America 2007 under her married name, Christina Ryan
1998 Mandy Jo Lane Elizabethtown 21 Contestant in Fear Factor USA Christmas Edition (4th place) & Fear Factor USA Second Chance Episode (2nd place)
1997 Jennifer Salinas South Holland 21
1996 Bernadette Przybycien Chicago 24 Semi-finalist
1995 Nichole Lynn Holmes Marion 20 2nd runner-up Miss Photogenic
1994 Kathleen Farrell Chicago 24 Top 10 Semi-finalist
1993 Susie Park Chicago 25 First Asian American to win the title of Miss Illinois USA
1992 Leilani Magnussen Glendale Heights 21
1991 Lisa Michele Morgan Inverness 21 Top 6
1990 Karla Myers Chicago 22 Top 12
1989 Kelly Holub Buffalo Grove 22 Semi-finalist Best State Costume
1988 Gina Marie Zordani Palos Heights 23 Semi-finalist
1987 Joan Elizabeth Berge Arlington Heights 21 Semi-finalist
1986 Tricia Therese Bach Elmhurst 22 Semi-finalist
  • Miss Teen All American 1983, sister of Miss Illinois USA 1985
1985 Laura Ann Bach Elmhurst 23 2nd Runner-up
  • 1st runner up at Miss Oktoberfest 1986
  • Sister of Miss Illinois USA 1986
1984 LaVonne Ranae Misselle Toluca 19 Semi-finalist
1983 Vanessa Lon Romine Rockford 24
1982 Carla Jo Danielson Chicago 21
1981 Leslie Kay Renfrow Chicago 21
  • 4th runner-up at Miss Oktoberfest 1980
1980 Karen Marie Groat[4] Princeton 18
1979 Debra Ann "Debbie" Niego Oak Lawn 20 3rd Runner-up
  • Miss Oktoberfest 1979
1978 Suzanne Piché Lombard 22 Represented Illinois at Miss World USA 1974.
1977 Elizabeth Curran Park Ridge 21 Miss Photogenic
1976 Kathy Ann Schmalen Oak Lawn 18 Semi-finalist
1975 Connie Reif Wheeling 18
1974 Melinda Staiger Aurora 19 Succeeded Karen Morrison as Miss Illinois USA
1974 Karen Jean Morrison St. Charles 19 Miss USA 1974 Semifinalist at Miss Universe 1974
1973 Deanna Hanson[5] Aurora 19 Succeeded Amanda Jones as Miss Illinois USA
1973 Amanda Clara Jones Evanston 22 Miss USA 1973
1972 Jani Hall[6] Big Rock 21
1971 Paulette Breen Chicago 24
1970 Carol Pepoon Skokie 18
1969 Christine Jalloway Chicago 23
1968 Sandra Ann "Sandie" Wolsfeld Wheaton 21 Top 15 Best in Swimsuit[7]
1967 Beverly Lacek Chicago 23 Semi-finalist
1966 Cheryl Setser Woodstock 19
1965 Diane Gortz Schiller Park 18
1964 Karen Sue Wiesbrook Wheaton 18
1963 Marite Ozers Chicago 19 Miss USA 1963[8]
1962 Jean Donnelly[9] DeKalb 20 Semi-finalist
1961 Dianne Duffey Elmhurst 19
1960 Patricia "Pat" Thompson Chicago 21
1959 Arlene Kaye Western Springs 19
1958 June Pickney Chicago 22 3rd Runner-up
1957 Marianne Gaba Chicago 18 Semi-finalist Playboy playmate September 1959
1956 Muriel "Mickey" Blair Chicago 23
1955 Diane Daniggelis[10] Chicago 18 Semi-finalist Winner of the 1955 National Press Photographers Pageant
1954 Celeste Ravel Chicago 23 4th Runner-up
1953 Myrna Rae Hansen Chicago 17 Miss USA 1953
  • 1st runner up at Miss Universe 1953; had been a finalist in the National Press Photographers pageant in 1953
1952 Sherri Matulis[11] Peoria 20[11]
  1. ^ Age at the time of the Miss USA pageant

References

  1. ^ "Contact - MISS ILLINOIS USA® and MISS ILLINOIS TEEN USA®". www.missillinoisusa.com. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  2. ^ "Sisters reign, Bach to Bach". Chicago Sun-Times. 1986-02-25. p. 24.
  3. ^ Purdom, Candace (21 April 1991). C-h-e-e-r-s, Chicago Tribune
  4. ^ "Miss USA hopefuls". The Times-News. 4 May 1980. p. 6. Retrieved 16 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "The New Miss Illinois". Chicago Tribune. 7 June 1973. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Ready To Compete". The Daily Chronicle. 15 May 1972. p. 13. Retrieved 14 March 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "SWIMSUIT WINNERS". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 16 May 1968. p. 62. Retrieved 7 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "MISS U.S.A. AND 14 RUNNERS-UP". Iowa City Press-Citizen. 18 July 1963. p. 20. Retrieved 8 October 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Page 7". Arlington Heights Herald. 21 June 1962. p. 7. Retrieved 14 March 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Here's Official List of Miss Universe Charmers". Long Beach Press-Telegram. 17 July 1955. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  11. ^ a b "U.S. Beauty List". Long Beach Independent. 22 June 1952. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
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