of the population were living below the poverty line. Notable people Elwood Barker, businessman, farmer, and Illinois state legislator Ray Blades, baseball player. Paul W. Broyles, businessman and Illinois state legislator Jim Burns, former U. S. Attorney, Inspector General for the Illinois Secretary of State from 2000 until 2020 Christen Drew, news reporter M. J. Engh, science-fiction author and Roman scholar Carl Mauck, former center for the Houston Oilers and National Football League coach Rodney K. Miller, television host for Small Town Big Deal Jerry Sloan, Basketball Hall of Famer, player and head coach for the Chicago Bulls and head coach of the Utah Jazz H. Allen Smith, author John H. Stelle, lieutenant governor 1937–40, 29th Governor of Illinois 1940-41, National Commander of the American Legion 1945-46 Henry C. Warmoth, 23rd Governor of Louisiana See also Hamilton County Courthouse (Illinois) 1968 Illinois earthquake References Further reading History of Southern Illinois, George Washington Smith, 1912. External links Hamilton County Historical Society Hamilton County Chamber of Commerce Cities in Hamilton County, Illinois County seats in Illinois Cities in Illinois