1989 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

The 1989 Illinois Fighting Illini football team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by second-year head coach John Mackovic the Fighting Illini compiled an overall record of 10–2 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, placing second in the Big Ten. Illinois was invited to the Florida Citrus Bowl, where the Illini beat Virginia.

At Purdue
Jeff George made his first appearance at Purdue since transferring following the 1986 season

Awards and honors

 * vJeff George, Sammy Baugh Trophy