Why is crime rate so high in Springfield, IL?

[linicx]

Seriously, the red section of the map is just a blob due to the fact I don't see well. If you want to consider Central Illinois as a whole, you must be able to define it. Then there is need to understand there are distinct areas that do not overlap due to demographics, land use, geography, roads and weather. There is also a difference of definition depending upon the map used, unincorporated counties and MSA - which does not overlap any MSA with the other. What I believe from traveling is this.

Here is a link to Illinois Centeral TV that states, "If it's happening in central Illinois, we'll bring you the story." It is Springfield orientated and seems to go as far north as Menard and Logan Counties and as far Southeast as Champaign County. Nothing here mentions anything that remotely encompasses the whole of Central Illinois. http://www.illinoiscentral.tv/ and this is a big part of the problem within the state. Springfield and Chicago promote each other but not the rest of the state to the same degree.

I think Illinois is divided E-W by I-51 that basically drawn between Cairo and the Wisconsin border. I believe Central Illinois begins around the southern border of Kankakee County. Everything N to the WI border and between the IA and IN borders is Northen Illinois. .

I also believe Central Illinois is further divided in North Central, South Central and is furthere divided by the Illinois River. Consequently there is a larger central and east central portion of central illnois than the central -western central portion of the state. The NOAA maps consider Champaign Southeast Illinois. Even the Governor's Office isn't sure if Springfield is in Central Illinois or not. The person I talked to today tends to believe Springfield is in southern central Illinois and I would agree with this definition.

The Springfield MSA is two counties: Sangamon and Menard. The Peoria MSA is 6 counties. B-N is two counties as is Champaign. Thus the metro area you live in tends to color the perception of central Illinois, rather than Central Illinois, the mid-secction of the state.

Originally Posted by urza216

What about the two other links MountainChaos provided? Do we have reason to be skeptical of the info on VisitCentralIllinois.com and IllinoisChannel.org?

Although from a purely geographical standpoint, I don't see why the image on the Central Illinois Wikipedia page wouldn't make perfect sense:

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by linicx

I think Illinois is divided E-W by I-51 that basically drawn between Cairo and the Wisconsin border. I believe Central Illinois begins around the southern border of Kankakee County. Everything N to the WI border and between the IA and IN borders is Northen Illinois. .

I also believe Central Illinois is further divided in North Central, South Central and is furthere divided by the Illinois River. Consequently there is a larger central and east central portion of central illnois than the central -western central portion of the state. The NOAA maps consider Champaign Southeast Illinois. Even the Governor's Office isn't sure if Springfield is in Central Illinois or not. The person I talked to today tends to believe Springfield is in southern central Illinois and I would agree with this definition.

The Springfield MSA is two counties: Sangamon and Menard. The Peoria MSA is 6 counties. B-N is two counties as is Champaign. Thus the metro area you live in tends to color the perception of central Illinois, rather than Central Illinois, the mid-secction of the state.

I'm not sure if any of us are or will understand your point. *Eastern* central Illinois is still central Illinois; *western* central Illinois is still central Illinois; *southern* central Illinois is still central Illinois. The same as a grand piano is still a piano much the same as a baby grand piano is still a piano. And NOAA still considers Champaign central Illinois:

NOAA/National Weather Service, Central Illinois

Any way you slice it, Champaign and Springfield are in central Illinois. It may not be *central* central Illinois...and it may not be *central* *central* central Illinois (repeat ad nauseam), but it is still central Illinois! I wouldn't be terribly surprised if the Governor's office didn't know the state capital from a hole in the ground...most of them are probably from the Chicago area anyway.

[linicx]

It is what it is. It is complicated and not so easy to understand.

[JerichoHW]

Found a government map from the Blago era of what Central Illinois is.

[linicx]

Thank you. The map is pretty good. It also shows the 7 unincorporated counties, too. .

[JerichoHW]

Originally Posted by linicx

Thank you. The map is pretty good. It also shows the 7 unincorporated counties, too. .

Yah it's a pretty decent map. I actually really like Central Illinois, there is some pretty interesting things down there. And I have easy access to it here from Homewood, I can just hop on I-57 and head on South.

[linicx]

If you like nature and a more relaxed drive pop over to Princeton and head south on IL 26 to IL 29. You will pass through the northern most counties in central Central Illinois inclunding Stark and Peoria Counties, 100 miles of shoreline, and continue south through Sangamon County to stop 20 miles SW of Springfield at Pana, IL.

You will have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of interesting things that you might not be aware exists.

Originally Posted by JerichoHW

Yah it's a pretty decent map. I actually really like Central Illinois, there is some pretty interesting things down there. And I have easy access to it here from Homewood, I can just hop on I-57 and head on South.

[JerichoHW]

Originally Posted by linicx

If you like nature and a more relaxed drive pop over to Princeton and head south on IL 26 to IL 29. You will pass through the northern most counties in central Central Illinois inclunding Stark and Peoria Counties, 100 miles of shoreline, and continue south through Sangamon County to stop 20 miles SW of Springfield at Pana, IL.

You will have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of interesting things that you might not be aware exists.

That I have never done before, sounds like a good mix of interesting topography and interesting cities along the way.

[CPT Puffy]

I question the credibility of any survey that states Springfield is rated as "9" on a scale of 1 - 10 for violent crime with 10 being most violent. I lived on Springfield's west side and had a great experience. I used to cycle and run throughout most of the city, never had any problems. Most cities of 100K plus in population have economically depressed areas and Springfield is no exception (east of 9th St.). However, the vast majority of neighborhoods are peaceful with minimal crime. Springfield not as culturally diverse or cosmopolitan like the Chicago metro area, but it has much to offer. The west side of Springfield has neighborhoods that closely resemble those in Naperville or Montgomery.