Why go native? Native plants, shrubs, and trees have evolved in specific regions like NE Illinois for millions of years, along with insects and other animals. Natives are beneficial and even essential to many insects, which are an integral part of our ecosystem. An ecosystem is a complex relationship between all the plants and animals in their physical environment.
The Monarch butterfly is an example of an insect that has evolved with plants from the Milkweed species, and will only use Milkweed as the larval host (food) for their caterpillars.
Native plants, shrubs, and trees provide nectar and pollen to native bees and other insects that are in severe decline. They offer food, protection, and housing not only to insects, but to spiders, birds, amphibians, reptiles, small and large mammals.
Monarch caterpillar on Swamp milkweed 
Monarch butterfly on Swamp milkweed
Native trees are adept at both removing carbon released into the atmosphere from green house gas (GHG) emissions, AND storing the Earth’s carbon in its leaves, branches, trunk, and roots.
For an interesting way to see how hard your trees are working for you, check out the easy-to-use tree calculator, which computes how much Carbon Dioxide (CO2) your tree draws down from the atmosphere, and other useful facts showing a tree’s impact on storm water, air quality, and property value.
http://www.treebenefits.com/calculator/
Native plants and shrubs also store carbon in their leaves and root systems, which are often deep and extensive (see below).
These prolific root systems not only store carbon, but they filter impurities from water, make soil healthier by forming a mutually beneficial relationship with soil fungi (micorrhyzae), absorb rain water, and control erosion by stabilizing the soil.
Turfgrass at far left. Remainder are Prairie grasses and flowers with roots up to 15 feet
What are other benefits of native plants, shrubs, and trees? Because they have evolved in our area for so long, they are especially adapted to this particular environment, and are easier to care for once established. Native plants typically do not need regular watering unless in times of extreme drought, do not require fertilizer, and are therefore “low maintenance”.
And lastly, why plant native plants, shrubs, and trees?
Because they are beautiful!
See this native landscaping sheet for a list of trees, shrubs and plants native to Illinois which can be great additions to your home landscape.