Illinois does not = Chicago!! (Rockford, Aurora: university, place to live, prices)

[NYrules]

I do agree that Chicago is drastically different from it\'s surrounding areas off to it\'s west and south in IL, but its Chicago\'s strong economic tax base that funds small towns like Gridley, Macomb, Shelbyville, and many more; so your children have nice schools to go to, you have safe roads to drive on, the infrastructure is in working order etc. To say, \"divide the two parts of the state\" is fine, but that said are you ready to come up with the needed tax base to fund your part of the state without any major cities housing major corporations that pump billions of $ a year into the state\'s operating budget?

Its unfortunante that southern Illinoisans don\'t like Chicagoans, and quite frankly I don\'t blame them at some points (Chicagoans get most of the state\'s operating capital, Chicagoans tend to be less friendly than small town folk, Chicagoans come to your small towns and make a mess out of them with litter and problems), but small town folk need to realize the importance of Chicago to rest of the state of IL whether they want to like it or not. Chicago is America\'s transportation hub and lately it has been seeming to be turning into the next NYC which to me is fine because I like NY, but by becoming a mini NYC, it is pumping billions of $ into the state and the same with the city itself.

[Katiana]

NYRules is correct. There is occasional talk in Wisconsin of having the rest of the state secede from the Milwaukee area. My uncle, who lives in N. Wis, says "we woulnd't have any roads to drive on if that happened". Rural is nice, but doesn't give you much tax base.

[diane470]

You obviously never lived in a Chicago neighbor Hood and if you did not for long.. I was born and lived my whole life up until 4 yrs ago and We knew all our neighbors all around us and for many blocks around and as a matter of fact with in miles we knew many people our family's all lived their Cousins Uncles, Aunts, Grand Parents, Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters, Nephews, Nieces,Children, In Laws.. That is what Chicago Neighbor Hoods are all about.. And still is for many familys.. Including some of mine.
And yes some have passed on or slowly moved on for one reason or another..
The neighbor hood We lived in had block parties every year.. Church Carnival's and Beautiful Parks with swimming pools to take your children with in walking distance.. We have comitties to remove grafitty immediately in the neighbor hood I livd in..
Dont say Chicagoans make a mess as I concider myself a very clean person and wouldent dream of littering any thing not even a tiny bit.. Or would any of my family.
And I am proud to say I was a Chicagoan..

[DukeK]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Very true, but if you re-read his post, substitute "Chicago" with "Yankees" and "southern Illinoisans" with "Confederates" and youll see what Im talking about. His post was very Confederate sounding.

I am asking for self rule and a govenor that actually represents the entire state. Our own govenor does not live in the state capitol. My comments were "Capitalist" or in your terms "Yankee". Read before you write and you will hopefully understand the difference. To dare to call someone "Confederate" and compare one of the saddest times in our countries history to a "pro-business" stance is igonorant and reckless. Did you read my profile, what is my heritage?

[computerizedirishred]

we are about to go over to the States for a three week holiday from Ireland,only ever been there once on St Pats day in New York,but during the troubles back here,both my daughters were `hosted` during summer holidays around the Chicago area a few years apart.One stated in Napersville the other in North Judson.Our friends from North Judson visited here with us in Ireland,and we will be staying with them in a few weeks time.
My question is,i know Napersville is in Illinois,in close proximity to Chicago,North Judson is in Indiana but classes itself as south Chicago,is that right? Excuse me for my ignorance,but looking forward to seeing old friends soon

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by DukeK

I am asking for self rule and a govenor that actually represents the entire state. Our own govenor does not live in the state capitol. My comments were "Capitalist" or in your terms "Yankee". Read before you write and you will hopefully understand the difference. To dare to call someone "Confederate" and compare one of the saddest times in our countries history to a "pro-business" stance is igonorant and reckless. Did you read my profile, what is my heritage? IDIOT!

Sad times indeed, breaking up the nation and rebelling. 2 of which you call for. Your stance is very similar to the Confederacy, obviously not in terms of slavery, but more along the lines of "oppression" (if thats what you can call it).

W/o Chicago, southern IL would be in big trouble. Why disconnect yourself from life support?

[DukeK]

We don't receive an inordinate amount of revenue dollars from the city and what we do receive is late. (like our current budget crunch) To call someone a "Confederate" is to imply that they are racist! We can plan our modern day "Tea Party" and call it the "Other Illinois Corn Rebellion"!

[Jons99]

Downstate has ZERO without the Chicago area, its that simple.. Follow this plan, and Champaign, Carbondale and Springfield will be the next editions of Danville and Decatur.

[M TYPE X]

The only thing I remembered about Illinois was how flat I remember the areas around Peru and Effin'ham during family car trips out west. Since I moved here, I like it more, but it's not Michigan and Wisconsin.

[pw72]

Originally Posted by computerizedirishred

we are about to go over to the States for a three week holiday from Ireland,only ever been there once on St Pats day in New York,but during the troubles back here,both my daughters were `hosted` during summer holidays around the Chicago area a few years apart.One stated in Napersville the other in North Judson.Our friends from North Judson visited here with us in Ireland,and we will be staying with them in a few weeks time.
My question is,i know Napersville is in Illinois,in close proximity to Chicago,North Judson is in Indiana but classes itself as south Chicago,is that right? Excuse me for my ignorance,but looking forward to seeing old friends soon

Naperville is one of Chicago's best suburbs, west of the city. North Judson is not anywhere near Chicagoland, it's a rural town a couple of hours southeast of Chicago in Indiana. The two places are completely different. Napervillle = malls, nice homes and chain stores. North Judson = farms.