If Illinois was a commonwealth what would it mean? (Virginia: live)

[60-minutes-II]

Does that mean we can do anything we want without fearing the feds? Im asking this because I am watching the history channel show on the states. And was just curious?

[phl76]

Well, I live in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and we're still fearing the feds. (Especially every April 15th). I believe there are other states that are considered Commonwealths as well, like Virginia and Massachusetts.

I don't think we're that special.

[chet everett]

Purely a matter of style / history. All fifty States are equally tied to the Federal government: Commonwealth (United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

[Drover]

"Commonwealth" is just an old-fashioned way of saying "State."

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by phl76

Well, I live in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and we're still fearing the feds. (Especially every April 15th). I believe there are other states that are considered Commonwealths as well, like Virginia and Massachusetts.

I don't think we're that special.

And Kentucky.

[lincolnparker]

KY, MA, VA, and PA are the commonwealth states and I happen to have lived in two of em. Against my experience, rules and laws are a lot harsher in commonwealth states and the government tends to have a tighter control of ppl's lives.