Illinois does not = Chicago!! (Peoria, Springfield: insurance, elementary schools, salary)

[gardener34]

computerirished:
Are your children involved in "irish children's fund"? My uncle and aunt did that hosting of a boy, a few years ago and we have been to a number of those fundraisers. Great organization.
naperville is far directly west of the city. Approx. 30 miles or so I believe. Easy to get there from the city.

[Tex?Il?]

I've never been comfortable with the whole Chicago/downstate dichotomy. I've never even liked the idea that most of the natural wonders and scenic areas have to be in other states where as a a Chicagoland native I have to feel a little like an outsider. (Wisconsinites like me personally, but still).

It would nice if the whole Northwest territory (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) grew up as one state and no one city alone became the "capital of the midwest." You know, like Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Detroit, etc. would have populations and economic importance that is a little closer to equal.

However, thats not what happened, and it is what it is.
Which means that I've lately been strongly attracted to and fascinated by, and wanting to at least visit and possibly move to a state, a HUGE state that has several large cities, a couple of them considered somewhat world class, and seems to have less of the urban/rural dichotomy, because of the states unique history.

I know a lot of people aren't big Texas fans, but it seems like even the urban population are much aware of their history, rural heritage, and their states huge geography. Houston, one of the most international and diverse populations with world class museums and theatre still has an annual Stock and show and rodeo. You just wouldn't find that anywhere else I don't think. I've never been to the state (layover in DFW once ten years ago doesn't count!).

In addition, there is actually a lot diversity in the natural, rural landscape as well. From deserts, mountains, and canyons, to swamps, forests, and coastline.

They cities (in Texas) tend to battle each other more, to grab the worlds attention. In the midwest, Chicago is uncontested, and it makes me feel a little isolated and claustrophobic when so many people think Indiana is foreign country!

[Drover]

Chicago and Indiana border each other; I don't think anyone thinks Indiana is a foreign country....

it's downstate Indiana that's a foreign country.

[j33]

No kidding. I know a lot of people who I work with who commute from the NW corner of Indiana, and more than a few of them have shorter commutes that some of the people who actually live in Chicago proper.

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

I've never been comfortable with the whole Chicago/downstate dichotomy. I've never even liked the idea that most of the natural wonders and scenic areas have to be in other states where as a a Chicagoland native I have to feel a little like an outsider. (Wisconsinites like me personally, but still).

It would nice if the whole Northwest territory (Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) grew up as one state and no one city alone became the "capital of the midwest." You know, like Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Detroit, etc. would have populations and economic importance that is a little closer to equal.

However, thats not what happened, and it is what it is.
Which means that I've lately been strongly attracted to and fascinated by, and wanting to at least visit and possibly move to a state, a HUGE state that has several large cities, a couple of them considered somewhat world class, and seems to have less of the urban/rural dichotomy, because of the states unique history.

I know a lot of people aren't big Texas fans, but it seems like even the urban population are much aware of their history, rural heritage, and their states huge geography. Houston, one of the most international and diverse populations with world class museums and theatre still has an annual Stock and show and rodeo. You just wouldn't find that anywhere else I don't think. I've never been to the state (layover in DFW once ten years ago doesn't count!).

In addition, there is actually a lot diversity in the natural, rural landscape as well. From deserts, mountains, and canyons, to swamps, forests, and coastline.

They cities (in Texas) tend to battle each other more, to grab the worlds attention. In the midwest, Chicago is uncontested, and it makes me feel a little isolated and claustrophobic when so many people think Indiana is foreign country!

You're right in this sense: there's a certain state unity and a mutual local culture in Texas - people there will call themselves Texans and there's a great amount of state pride even though the major cities might be big rivals. In Illinois, on the other hand, it really does feel like two different worlds between the Chicago area and the rest of the state. When I go traveling and people ask me where I'm from, I'll always say "Chicago" or the "Chicago area" instead of "Illinois", and that's probably going to be the case for almost all Chicagoans. Meanwhile, you'll find people from places such as Texas, Florida, Arizona, California and even neighboring Midwestern states such as Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana will identify themselves as being from their home state a lot more often.

I think part of it is that Chicago's main "inferiority complex", if you can say that it has one, is that the town that it compares itself the most to, whether it's business, architecture, theater or sports, is New York City as opposed to any other place in the Midwest. Chicago has fought long and hard to get to the point where it can legitimately call itself a global and sophisticated city, so there's a good number of people here that don't to be tied into an association with the rural parts of the Midwest. I certainly don't have anything against "Downstate Illinois" - I spent 4 of the most fun years of my life in Champaign-Urbana - but I have to admit that I always cringe at national news stories that talk generally about "Midwestern attitudes" about politics and social issues without noting that Chicago is a huge exception where it's closer to a coastal city in its atmosphere.

[sigchi10]

I disagree with the posts here. You guys seriously have to be kidding me. Why do people associate Illinois with Chicago? Why do people immediately associate you with Chicago because you live in Illinois? Why don't people associate Illinois with its lame parks and cheesy small towns like Galena? I can't believe what I'm reading here.

Here's the most simple way I can put it, without Chicago this state would be just like Iowa and Nebraska. How many professional sports teams do those 2 states have combined? 0. What do you say to people that are from those to states? What do you associate those 2 states with? I'm sure they have just as many parks and little cute towns than the entire state of Illinois does. Chicago won the bid for the American representative for the 2016 Olympics for heavens sake!!!! Doesn't that make you proud as an Illinois resident? You have the chance, due to this annoying big city, to have the Summer Olympics in your state! There are so many unique things about Chicago, and sadly the state we reside in doesn't appreciate it. I challenge all of you haters out there, come spent a summer weekend in Chicago. Go to a cubs/sox game, go to a street festival (theres one EVERY weekend here in the city), go to Metromix and at least try to understand what its like to go out and enjoy this place. I grew up and went to college in DeKalb, IL (N.I.U.) and have lived in the city for 4 years now. You have no idea how much it upsets me that i have good friends out in the 'burbs that are scared to come visit me in the city! It's always about traffic and parking to them but I honestly believe that they are missing out on some fun new experiences. Be proud that people ask you about this city, and learn to enjoy it!

[Katiana]

Here's the most simple way I can put it, without Chicago this state would be just like Iowa and Nebraska. How many professional sports teams do those 2 states have combined? 0. What do you say to people that are from those to states? What do you associate those 2 states with? I'm sure they have just as many parks and little cute towns than the entire state of Illinois does.

What is the purpose of putting down those two states? What do you mean "what do you say to people that are from those to (sic) states?" Every day of my life I say "Good morning" to my husband from Nebraska. I don't get it. I mean, I do get your point about Chicago making Illinois famous, but that has nothing to do with people from Iowa and Nebraska.

[equine75]

Originally Posted by sigchi10

I disagree with the posts here. You guys seriously have to be kidding me. Why do people associate Illinois with Chicago? Why do people immediately associate you with Chicago because you live in Illinois? Why don't people associate Illinois with its lame parks and cheesy small towns like Galena? I can't believe what I'm reading here.

Here's the most simple way I can put it, without Chicago this state would be just like Iowa and Nebraska. How many professional sports teams do those 2 states have combined? 0. What do you say to people that are from those to states? What do you associate those 2 states with? I'm sure they have just as many parks and little cute towns than the entire state of Illinois does. Chicago won the bid for the American representative for the 2016 Olympics for heavens sake!!!! Doesn't that make you proud as an Illinois resident? You have the chance, due to this annoying big city, to have the Summer Olympics in your state! There are so many unique things about Chicago, and sadly the state we reside in doesn't appreciate it. I challenge all of you haters out there, come spent a summer weekend in Chicago. Go to a cubs/sox game, go to a street festival (theres one EVERY weekend here in the city), go to Metromix and at least try to understand what its like to go out and enjoy this place. I grew up and went to college in DeKalb, IL (N.I.U.) and have lived in the city for 4 years now. You have no idea how much it upsets me that i have good friends out in the 'burbs that are scared to come visit me in the city! It's always about traffic and parking to them but I honestly believe that they are missing out on some fun new experiences. Be proud that people ask you about this city, and learn to enjoy it!

Life is much more than sports teams and olympic games or festivals. I wouldn't want to offend anyone, but personally I don't give a rip about where the olympics are held. It's just a sport and the winners torment themselves with training for what? A medal that will sit and get dusty on a shelf. What do people do with their lives once they get the medal? Live in the world of "has beens"?

I think the difference between Chicagoans and the rest of Illinois (namely the small towns and villages) is a very different mind set. Our priorities, values and beliefs tend to differ drastically. And I realize that could be called a generalization but it is just what I've observed in this thread.

I'm located in one of those "cheesy" towns in west central Illinois- Rushville. Population 3300. People in the smaller towns don't require museums, festivals, sports (other than our local teams), and 5 star restaurants to make them happy. What makes me happy are simple things like the smell of fresh cut hay, or sitting out in my yard in the morning with my cup of coffee and that wren singing her heart out over my shoulder. I look with pride at the beautiful stands of corn and beans or the herd of cows along the roads that my friends and neighbors have raised.

If you look up the economy of Illinois (on wikipedia for example) you'll find that although the Chicago area supplies Illinois with large business revenues there is just as much if not more revenue that comes from downstate agribusiness and manufacturing companies.

If you look up that facts you cannot claim that the rest of the state could not be independant of Chicago. We all know that will not happen, but technically it would be possible and even plausible.

I just want to say upfront though that if that were to happen in the next 3 years Chicago keeps Blagovich!

No more negative comments on corn in Illinois! It's helping to pay for your museums and highways!

[StPete2Charlotte]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Yes, but its still a shame that the state is known for nothing else, really. There are lots of great places in this state that are outside Chicago.

Yeah, but truthfully. No one cares about those places.
I will never visit Central Illinois, what a waste of time?
However, I want to visit Chicago really bad.

[Katiana]

I will never visit Central Illinois, what a waste of time?

Never say never. You might want to visit Springfield and New Salem. You also might want to visit Galena and Galesburgh in northern Ill, and Carbondale in S. Ill. You may even want to go to a football game or a concert in Champaign.