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This is a list of notable individuals who come from the state of Illinois, a state within the larger United States of America.
🤕==A== Aa–Ag
- Emma Abbott (1850–91), opera soprano. Born and raised in Illinois until age 16; funeral held in Illinois, but interred in Massachusetts.[1]
- David Abidor (born 1992), soccer player
- Margaret Abbott (1878–1955), first modern-era Olympic United States female champion. Lived during her teens and learned her Olympic sport of golf in Illinois.[2]
- Robert Sengstacke Abbott (1868–1940), African-American lawyer, newspaper publisher and editor. Studied law and had his newspaper career in Chicago.[3]
- Jessica Abel (1969–living), comic book writer and artist. Born and educated in Illinois.[4]
- Gertrude Abercrombie (1909–77), surrealist painter. Lived most of her life in Chicago and known for her association with the city.[5]
- Max Abramovitz (1908–2004), architect. Born and college-educated in Illinois.[6]
- Ben Abruzzo (1930–85), balloonist. Born and college-educated in Illinois.[7]
- Tony Accardo (1906–1992), organized crime figure. Born and lived entire life in Chicago metropolitan area.[8]
- Barbara Acklin (1943–98), singer. Came to Illinois aged five and resided until her death.[9]
- Ron Acks (1944–living), NFL linebacker 1968–76. Acks was born, attended high school and college in Illinois.[10]
- Valdas Adamkus (1926–living), president of Lithuania 1998–2009. Lived in Illinois for a number of years after emigrating to the United States from Lithuania, getting a college degree and entering Chicago politics.[11]
- Mike Adamle, NFL and Northwestern running back, TV personality
- Berle Adams (1917–2009), founder of Mercury Records. Born and lived first thirty years in Illinois.[12]
- Franklin P. Adams (1881–1960), writer, member of Algonquin Round Table. Described as "a native of Chicago", he found fame and lived most of his life in New York.[13]
- John Hicks Adams (1820–78), gunslinger, Wild West lawman. Born and attended college in Illinois.[14]
- Katrina Adams (1968–living), president of United States Tennis Association. Born and educated in Illinois.[15]
- Robert McCormick Adams Jr., anthropologist, secretary of Smithsonian Institution
- Jane Addams, social worker, teacher, Nobel Peace Prize recipient
- George Ade, author and cartoonist (born in Indiana)
- Paul Adelstein, actor, Prison Break, Private Practice
- Victor Adeyanju, NFL defensive end 2006–10
- Dankmar Adler, architect (born in Germany)
- David Adler, architect (born in Wisconsin)
- Lou Adler, music producer in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Max Adler, founder of Adler Planetarium
- Scott Adsit, actor, writer, improvisational comedian, 30 Rock, Big Hero 6
- John Agar, actor, Sands of Iwo Jima, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, husband of Shirley Temple
- Alex Agase, football player for Cleveland Browns; head coach of Northwestern, Purdue
- Lou Agase, football player for Illinois, coach of CFL's Toronto Argonauts
- Milton Ager, composer, "Ain't She Sweet", "Happy Days Are Here Again"
- Benjamin Agosto, ice dancer, 2006 Turin Olympics silver medalist
- Mark Aguirre, forward for DePaul, NBA's Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons; top pick of 1981 NBA draft
Ah–Am
- Gene Ahern, cartoonist
- Joe Aiello, organized crime figure (born in Sicily)
- Joseph Aiuppa, organized crime figure
- Stan Albeck, basketball head coach, Bradley, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls
- Abraham Adrian Albert, mathematician
- Eddie Albert, Oscar-nominated actor, Green Acres, Switch, Oklahoma!, Roman Holiday, The Heartbreak Kid, The Longest Yard
- Frankie Albert, quarterback and head coach for San Francisco 49ers, College Football Hall of Famer
- Bruce Alberts, biochemist, original author of Molecular Biology of the Cell
- Steve Albini, musician, producer
- Ted Albrecht, offensive tackle for Purdue and Chicago Bears
- James L. Alcorn, governor and U.S. Senator of Mississippi
- Jody Alderson, swimmer, 1952 Olympic bronze medalist
- Dorothy Aldis, children's author
- J. Frank Aldrich, 19th Century U.S. Representative (born in Wisconsin)
- Gus Alex, organized crime figure
- Dan Alexander, football player, 2000 Alamo Bowl MVP
- Houston Alexander, mixed martial artist
- Linsey Alexander, blues musician (born in Mississippi)
- Lorez Alexandria, jazz and gospel singer
- Nelson Algren, author, The Man with the Golden Arm, A Walk on the Wild Side (born in Michigan)
- Saul Alinsky, founder of modern community organizing and writer
- Paul Alivisatos, president, University of Chicago
- Brian Allard, MLB pitcher 1979–81
- Jeff Allen, NFL offensive guard 2012-19
- Joan Allen, Oscar-nominated actress, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Contender, The Upside of Anger, Nixon, Face/Off
- Karen Allen, actress, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Animal House, Scrooged
- Leo E. Allen, 14-term U.S. Representative
- Leslie Allen, auto racer, ninth in 1930 Indianapolis 500
- Rex Allen Jr., country singer, narrator of film Me, Myself and Irene
- Ronnie Allen, professional pool player
- Sandy Allen, tallest U.S. woman
- Steve Allen, TV personality, actor, author, songwriter, first host of The Tonight Show (born in New York)
- Tony Allen, NBA forward 2004-18, member of 2008 champion Boston Celtics
- William J. Allen, judge, U.S. Representative (born in Tennessee)
- Justin Allgaier, auto racer, 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series champion
- Fran Allison, radio-TV personality, Kukla, Fran and Ollie (born in Iowa)
- Luther Allison, blues musician (born in Arkansas)
- Samuel Allison, prominent physicist who worked on Manhattan Project
- Arthur Allyn Jr., co-owner of Chicago White Sox in 1960s
- John Allyn, owner of White Sox 1961–75
- Alfred S. Alschuler, architect
- Mike Alstott, fullback for Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1996–2007, Super Bowl XXXVII champion
- Jonathan Alter, journalist and author
- Michael J. Alter, real estate developer, owner of WNBA's Chicago Sky
- John Peter Altgeld, Governor of Illinois 1893–97 (born in Germany)
- Dave Altizer, MLB infielder 1906–11
- Scott Altman, astronaut, four Space Shuttle missions
- John Altschuler, screenwriter, Blades of Glory, Silicon Valley
- Anita Alvarez, Cook County State's Attorney 2008-16
- John Alvin, actor, The Beast with Five Fingers, Objective, Burma!
- A.A. Ames, four-term mayor of Minneapolis
- Edward Ames, founder, McKendree University (born in Ohio)
- Knowlton Ames, college football player and coach
- Rosemary Ames, actress, Our Little Girl, Pursued
- Stephen E. Ambrose, author, historian, Band of Brothers
- The American Breed, band, "Bend Me, Shape Me"
- Warren Amling, Ohio State athlete in College Football Hall of Fame
- Albert Ammons, jazz musician
- Gene Ammons, jazz musician
- Morey Amsterdam, actor and comedian, The Dick Van Dyke Show
An–Ar
- Merry Anders, actress, The Dalton Girls, Hear Me Good, Tickle Me
- Arthur E. Andersen, founder of accounting firm
- Alexandria Anderson, NCAA champion sprinter
- Andree Anderson, ice dancer, member of Figure Skating Hall of Fame
- Craig Anderson, NHL goaltender 2002-23
- Gillian Anderson, Emmy Award-winning actress, The X-Files, The House of Mirth, Bleak House, Hannibal
- J. J. Anderson, forward for Bradley and Utah Jazz
- John B. Anderson, politician, U.S. Representative 1961–81, U.S. presidential candidate
- Ken Anderson, NFL quarterback 1971–86, four-time Pro Bowl selection
- Kevin Anderson, actor, Sleeping with the Enemy, Miles from Home, Hoffa
- Kurt Anderson, football player and coach
- Laurie Anderson, performance artist and musician
- Les Anderson, auto racer, 11th in 1947 Indy 500
- Margaret C. Anderson, editor and publisher (born in Indiana)
- Nick Anderson, NBA and Illinois guard, first Orlando Magic draft pick
- Philip Warren Anderson, Nobel Prize-winning physicist
- Ray Anderson, musician
- Robert Orville Anderson, founder of ARCO oil company
- Sherwood Anderson, novelist (born in Ohio)
- Walter Stratton Anderson, naval vice admiral, battleship commander
- Fern Andra, circus performer, actress, director
- Emil Andres, auto racer, drove in nine Indianapolis 500s
- Bruce Andrews, poet
- Stanley Andrews, actor, Death Valley Days
- Ethel Percy Andrus, founder of AARP
- Elmer Angsman, running back for Notre Dame, Chicago Cardinals
- John Ankerberg, Christian evangelist, TV presenter
- Morris Ankrum, actor
- Ann-Margret, Oscar-nominated actress, Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, Carnal Knowledge, The Cincinnati Kid, Tommy (born in Sweden)
- Beulah Annan, inspiration for "Roxie Hart" in play and film Chicago
- Moses Annenberg, newspaper publisher (born in Prussia)
- Frank Annunzio, politician (Democrat), 13-term U.S. Representative
- Cap Anson, Hall of Fame infielder for Chicago White Stockings (born in Iowa)
- Bessie Anthony, golfer, U.S. Women's Amateur champion
- Luis Aparicio, Hall of Fame infielder for Chicago White Sox (born in Venezuela)
- Clarence Applegran, basketball coach, Kentucky 1924–25
- Amy Applegren, pro baseball player
- Arthur I. Appleton, businessman, thoroughbred owner
- Luke Appling, Hall of Fame infielder for White Sox (born in North Carolina)
- Lee Archambault, astronaut
- Robert Ardrey, playwright and screenwriter, Khartoum, The Three Musketeers
- Leslie C. Arends, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1943–74, Majority and Minority Whip
- Mark Arie, two gold medals in shooting at 1920 Olympics
- Hub Arkush, publisher of Pro Football Weekly
- Andrew Watson Armour III, meat-packing executive, philanthropist
- Philip Danforth Armour, businessman, founder of Armour and Company (born in New York)
- Terron Armstead, NFL offensive lineman
- Matthew John Armstrong, actor, Heroes
- Otis Armstrong, running back for Denver Broncos 1973–80
- Billy Arnold, auto racer, won 1930 Indianapolis 500
- Billy Boy Arnold, blues musician
- Isaac N. Arnold, U.S. Representative, author (born in New York)
- Cliff Arquette, comedian and actor (born in Ohio)
- Lewis Arquette, actor, Sherlock Hound, Camp Candy, The Waltons
- Patricia Arquette, Oscar and Emmy-winning actress, Boyhood, Medium, True Romance, CSI: Cyber
- Gerry Arrigo, MLB pitcher 1961–70
As–Az
- Jon Asamoah, NFL offensive lineman 2010-15
- Diandra Asbaty, bowler
- Tom Ashbrook, NPR personality
- John Ashcroft, politician (Republican), U.S. Attorney General 2001–05, Missouri senator and governor
- Darryl Ashmore, NFL tackle 1992–2002
- James N. Ashmore, basketball coach, North Carolina, Iowa, Washington State, DePauw
- Ed Asner, Emmy-winning actor, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Up, Elf (born in Missouri)
- Mary Astor, Oscar-winning actress, The Maltese Falcon, Dodsworth, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Great Lie
- Joe Astroth, MLB catcher 1945–56
- Ira Aten, lawman, Texas Ranger
- Doug Atkins, defensive end for Chicago Bears 1955–66, Hall of Fame (born in Tennessee)
- Smith D. Atkins, editor, Civil War colonel (born in New York)
- Edith Atwater, actress, True Grit, Family Plot, The Body Snatcher
- Richard and Florence Atwater, co-authors of Mr. Popper's Penguins
- Steve Atwater, NFL safety 1989-99, twice Super Bowl champion with Denver Broncos
- James T. Aubrey Jr., television executive, president of CBS
- David Auburn, playwright, Proof
- Jean M. Auel, author, The Clan of the Cave Bear
- James Augustine, center for Illinois' 2005 NCAA basketball runners-up
- Jeff Austin, mandolinist, singer
- Lovie Austin, jazz musician (born in Tennessee)
- Jason Avant, NFL wide receiver
- Charles Avery, silent film actor, Keystone Kops
- Sewell Avery, chairman of Montgomery Ward, first president of Museum of Science and Industry (born in Michigan)
- John Avildsen, Oscar-winning film director, Rocky, Save the Tiger, Lean on Me, The Karate Kid
- David Axelrod, political advisor to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, author, TV commentator
- Brendon Ayanbadejo, NFL linebacker 1999–2012
- Marion Aye, silent-film actress
- David Ayer, screenwriter and director, Training Day, End of Watch, Fury
- Edward E. Ayer, benefactor and first president of Field Museum of Natural History (born in Massachusetts)
- Harriet Hubbard Ayer, 19th Century cosmetics maven, journalist
- Bill Ayers, founder and member of Weather Underground
- Reiko Aylesworth, actress, Michelle Dessler on 24
- Agnes Ayres, silent-film actress
- Irving Azoff, music executive, head of Ticketmaster, Live Nation Entertainment
🤕==A== Aa–Ag
- Emma Abbott (1850–91), opera soprano. Born and raised in Illinois until age 16; funeral held in Illinois, but interred in Massachusetts.[16]
- David Abidor (born 1992), soccer player
- Margaret Abbott (1878–1955), first modern-era Olympic United States female champion. Lived during her teens and learned her Olympic sport of golf in Illinois.[17]
- Robert Sengstacke Abbott (1868–1940), African-American lawyer, newspaper publisher and editor. Studied law and had his newspaper career in Chicago.[18]
- Jessica Abel (1969–living), comic book writer and artist. Born and educated in Illinois.[19]
- Gertrude Abercrombie (1909–77), surrealist painter. Lived most of her life in Chicago and known for her association with the city.[20]
- Max Abramovitz (1908–2004), architect. Born and college-educated in Illinois.[21]
- Ben Abruzzo (1930–85), balloonist. Born and college-educated in Illinois.[22]
- Tony Accardo (1906–1992), organized crime figure. Born and lived entire life in Chicago metropolitan area.[23]
- Barbara Acklin (1943–98), singer. Came to Illinois aged five and resided until her death.[9]
- Ron Acks (1944–living), NFL linebacker 1968–76. Acks was born, attended high school and college in Illinois.[24]
- Valdas Adamkus (1926–living), president of Lithuania 1998–2009. Lived in Illinois for a number of years after emigrating to the United States from Lithuania, getting a college degree and entering Chicago politics.[11]
- Mike Adamle, NFL and Northwestern running back, TV personality
- Berle Adams (1917–2009), founder of Mercury Records. Born and lived first thirty years in Illinois.[25]
- Franklin P. Adams (1881–1960), writer, member of Algonquin Round Table. Described as "a native of Chicago", he found fame and lived most of his life in New York.[26]
- John Hicks Adams (1820–78), gunslinger, Wild West lawman. Born and attended college in Illinois.[27]
- Katrina Adams (1968–living), president of United States Tennis Association. Born and educated in Illinois.[28]
- Robert McCormick Adams Jr., anthropologist, secretary of Smithsonian Institution
- Jane Addams, social worker, teacher, Nobel Peace Prize recipient
- George Ade, author and cartoonist (born in Indiana)
- Paul Adelstein, actor, Prison Break, Private Practice
- Victor Adeyanju, NFL defensive end 2006–10
- Dankmar Adler, architect (born in Germany)
- David Adler, architect (born in Wisconsin)
- Lou Adler, music producer in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Max Adler, founder of Adler Planetarium
- Scott Adsit, actor, writer, improvisational comedian, 30 Rock, Big Hero 6
- John Agar, actor, Sands of Iwo Jima, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, husband of Shirley Temple
- Alex Agase, football player for Cleveland Browns; head coach of Northwestern, Purdue
- Lou Agase, football player for Illinois, coach of CFL's Toronto Argonauts
- Milton Ager, composer, "Ain't She Sweet", "Happy Days Are Here Again"
- Benjamin Agosto, ice dancer, 2006 Turin Olympics silver medalist
- Mark Aguirre, forward for DePaul, NBA's Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons; top pick of 1981 NBA draft
Ah–Am
- Gene Ahern, cartoonist
- Joe Aiello, organized crime figure (born in Sicily)
- Joseph Aiuppa, organized crime figure
- Stan Albeck, basketball head coach, Bradley, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls
- Abraham Adrian Albert, mathematician
- Eddie Albert, Oscar-nominated actor, Green Acres, Switch, Oklahoma!, Roman Holiday, The Heartbreak Kid, The Longest Yard
- Frankie Albert, quarterback and head coach for San Francisco 49ers, College Football Hall of Famer
- Bruce Alberts, biochemist, original author of Molecular Biology of the Cell
- Steve Albini, musician, producer
- Ted Albrecht, offensive tackle for Purdue and Chicago Bears
- James L. Alcorn, governor and U.S. Senator of Mississippi
- Jody Alderson, swimmer, 1952 Olympic bronze medalist
- Dorothy Aldis, children's author
- J. Frank Aldrich, 19th Century U.S. Representative (born in Wisconsin)
- Gus Alex, organized crime figure
- Dan Alexander, football player, 2000 Alamo Bowl MVP
- Houston Alexander, mixed martial artist
- Linsey Alexander, blues musician (born in Mississippi)
- Lorez Alexandria, jazz and gospel singer
- Nelson Algren, author, The Man with the Golden Arm, A Walk on the Wild Side (born in Michigan)
- Saul Alinsky, founder of modern community organizing and writer
- Paul Alivisatos, president, University of Chicago
- Brian Allard, MLB pitcher 1979–81
- Jeff Allen, NFL offensive guard 2012-19
- Joan Allen, Oscar-nominated actress, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Contender, The Upside of Anger, Nixon, Face/Off
- Karen Allen, actress, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Animal House, Scrooged
- Leo E. Allen, 14-term U.S. Representative
- Leslie Allen, auto racer, ninth in 1930 Indianapolis 500
- Rex Allen Jr., country singer, narrator of film Me, Myself and Irene
- Ronnie Allen, professional pool player
- Sandy Allen, tallest U.S. woman
- Steve Allen, TV personality, actor, author, songwriter, first host of The Tonight Show (born in New York)
- Tony Allen, NBA forward 2004-18, member of 2008 champion Boston Celtics
- William J. Allen, judge, U.S. Representative (born in Tennessee)
- Justin Allgaier, auto racer, 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series champion
- Fran Allison, radio-TV personality, Kukla, Fran and Ollie (born in Iowa)
- Luther Allison, blues musician (born in Arkansas)
- Samuel Allison, prominent physicist who worked on Manhattan Project
- Arthur Allyn Jr., co-owner of Chicago White Sox in 1960s
- John Allyn, owner of White Sox 1961–75
- Alfred S. Alschuler, architect
- Mike Alstott, fullback for Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1996–2007, Super Bowl XXXVII champion
- Jonathan Alter, journalist and author
- Michael J. Alter, real estate developer, owner of WNBA's Chicago Sky
- John Peter Altgeld, Governor of Illinois 1893–97 (born in Germany)
- Dave Altizer, MLB infielder 1906–11
- Scott Altman, astronaut, four Space Shuttle missions
- John Altschuler, screenwriter, Blades of Glory, Silicon Valley
- Anita Alvarez, Cook County State's Attorney 2008-16
- John Alvin, actor, The Beast with Five Fingers, Objective, Burma!
- A.A. Ames, four-term mayor of Minneapolis
- Edward Ames, founder, McKendree University (born in Ohio)
- Knowlton Ames, college football player and coach
- Rosemary Ames, actress, Our Little Girl, Pursued
- Stephen E. Ambrose, author, historian, Band of Brothers
- The American Breed, band, "Bend Me, Shape Me"
- Warren Amling, Ohio State athlete in College Football Hall of Fame
- Albert Ammons, jazz musician
- Gene Ammons, jazz musician
- Morey Amsterdam, actor and comedian, The Dick Van Dyke Show
An–Ar
- Merry Anders, actress, The Dalton Girls, Hear Me Good, Tickle Me
- Arthur E. Andersen, founder of accounting firm
- Alexandria Anderson, NCAA champion sprinter
- Andree Anderson, ice dancer, member of Figure Skating Hall of Fame
- Craig Anderson, NHL goaltender 2002-23
- Gillian Anderson, Emmy Award-winning actress, The X-Files, The House of Mirth, Bleak House, Hannibal
- J. J. Anderson, forward for Bradley and Utah Jazz
- John B. Anderson, politician, U.S. Representative 1961–81, U.S. presidential candidate
- Ken Anderson, NFL quarterback 1971–86, four-time Pro Bowl selection
- Kevin Anderson, actor, Sleeping with the Enemy, Miles from Home, Hoffa
- Kurt Anderson, football player and coach
- Laurie Anderson, performance artist and musician
- Les Anderson, auto racer, 11th in 1947 Indy 500
- Margaret C. Anderson, editor and publisher (born in Indiana)
- Nick Anderson, NBA and Illinois guard, first Orlando Magic draft pick
- Philip Warren Anderson, Nobel Prize-winning physicist
- Ray Anderson, musician
- Robert Orville Anderson, founder of ARCO oil company
- Sherwood Anderson, novelist (born in Ohio)
- Walter Stratton Anderson, naval vice admiral, battleship commander
- Fern Andra, circus performer, actress, director
- Emil Andres, auto racer, drove in nine Indianapolis 500s
- Bruce Andrews, poet
- Stanley Andrews, actor, Death Valley Days
- Ethel Percy Andrus, founder of AARP
- Elmer Angsman, running back for Notre Dame, Chicago Cardinals
- John Ankerberg, Christian evangelist, TV presenter
- Morris Ankrum, actor
- Ann-Margret, Oscar-nominated actress, Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, Carnal Knowledge, The Cincinnati Kid, Tommy (born in Sweden)
- Beulah Annan, inspiration for "Roxie Hart" in play and film Chicago
- Moses Annenberg, newspaper publisher (born in Prussia)
- Frank Annunzio, politician (Democrat), 13-term U.S. Representative
- Cap Anson, Hall of Fame infielder for Chicago White Stockings (born in Iowa)
- Bessie Anthony, golfer, U.S. Women's Amateur champion
- Luis Aparicio, Hall of Fame infielder for Chicago White Sox (born in Venezuela)
- Clarence Applegran, basketball coach, Kentucky 1924–25
- Amy Applegren, pro baseball player
- Arthur I. Appleton, businessman, thoroughbred owner
- Luke Appling, Hall of Fame infielder for White Sox (born in North Carolina)
- Lee Archambault, astronaut
- Robert Ardrey, playwright and screenwriter, Khartoum, The Three Musketeers
- Leslie C. Arends, politician (Republican), U.S. Representative 1943–74, Majority and Minority Whip
- Mark Arie, two gold medals in shooting at 1920 Olympics
- Hub Arkush, publisher of Pro Football Weekly
- Andrew Watson Armour III, meat-packing executive, philanthropist
- Philip Danforth Armour, businessman, founder of Armour and Company (born in New York)
- Terron Armstead, NFL offensive lineman
- Matthew John Armstrong, actor, Heroes
- Otis Armstrong, running back for Denver Broncos 1973–80
- Billy Arnold, auto racer, won 1930 Indianapolis 500
- Billy Boy Arnold, blues musician
- Isaac N. Arnold, U.S. Representative, author (born in New York)
- Cliff Arquette, comedian and actor (born in Ohio)
- Lewis Arquette, actor, Sherlock Hound, Camp Candy, The Waltons
- Patricia Arquette, Oscar and Emmy-winning actress, Boyhood, Medium, True Romance, CSI: Cyber
- Gerry Arrigo, MLB pitcher 1961–70
As–Az
- Jon Asamoah, NFL offensive lineman 2010-15
- Diandra Asbaty, bowler
- Tom Ashbrook, NPR personality
- John Ashcroft, politician (Republican), U.S. Attorney General 2001–05, Missouri senator and governor
- Darryl Ashmore, NFL tackle 1992–2002
- James N. Ashmore, basketball coach, North Carolina, Iowa, Washington State, DePauw
- Ed Asner, Emmy-winning actor, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Up, Elf (born in Missouri)
- Mary Astor, Oscar-winning actress, The Maltese Falcon, Dodsworth, Meet Me in St. Louis, The Great Lie
- Joe Astroth, MLB catcher 1945–56
- Ira Aten, lawman, Texas Ranger
- Doug Atkins, defensive end for Chicago Bears 1955–66, Hall of Fame (born in Tennessee)
- Smith D. Atkins, editor, Civil War colonel (born in New York)
- Edith Atwater, actress, True Grit, Family Plot, The Body Snatcher
- Richard and Florence Atwater, co-authors of Mr. Popper's Penguins
- Steve Atwater, NFL safety 1989-99, twice Super Bowl champion with Denver Broncos
- James T. Aubrey Jr., television executive, president of CBS
- David Auburn, playwright, Proof
- Jean M. Auel, author, The Clan of the Cave Bear
- James Augustine, center for Illinois' 2005 NCAA basketball runners-up
- Jeff Austin, mandolinist, singer
- Lovie Austin, jazz musician (born in Tennessee)
- Jason Avant, NFL wide receiver
- Charles Avery, silent film actor, Keystone Kops
- Sewell Avery, chairman of Montgomery Ward, first president of Museum of Science and Industry (born in Michigan)
- John Avildsen, Oscar-winning film director, Rocky, Save the Tiger, Lean on Me, The Karate Kid
- David Axelrod, political advisor to Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, author, TV commentator
- Brendon Ayanbadejo, NFL linebacker 1999–2012
- Marion Aye, silent-film actress
- David Ayer, screenwriter and director, Training Day, End of Watch, Fury
- Edward E. Ayer, benefactor and first president of Field Museum of Natural History (born in Massachusetts)
- Harriet Hubbard Ayer, 19th Century cosmetics maven, journalist
- Bill Ayers, founder and member of Weather Underground
- Reiko Aylesworth, actress, Michelle Dessler on 24
- Agnes Ayres, silent-film actress
- Irving Azoff, music executive, head of Ticketmaster, Live Nation Entertainment
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