Why the strong hatred towards Illinois? (Milwaukee, Appleton: employment, buying, schools)

[Homewardbound66]

I can totally relate to being freaked out while driving in and around Chicago. I hate driving to O'Hare to pick people up. The taxi drivers nearly drive me off the road. I think a lot of cities with such large populations attract the type A personalities, but Chicago to me, was also very down to earth. Again, I'm not a native of Chicago or Illinois, but I've enjoyed my time here and am now ready to settle down in Wisconsin. I guess I just am not sure whether to admit I did time in Illinois or stick with I was born and raised in New York State.

My first experience in Chicago was going to a headhunter in Chicago who turned to a co-worker and said to her, "What can we do with her?" I was looking for a job, obviously, and had as my background babysitter, factory worker, cake decorator, waitress, and the list went on, but NO office work. That was fun! I got a job as a runner and then was taught by a lady from England, who sat next to me, how to type using two hands - like a real secretary. I eventually was able to work for a partner in the firm. It was real interesting and like I said we all have our stories. I took the bus everywhere by the way and only rode in taxis or a car when my now husband drove. I wouldn't drive Chicago. Too scared!! I love the people, but the driving was beyond my capabilities.

I look forward to the next chapter of my life in Wisconsin as soon as my husband finds work. There is a place for everyone and I hope my son feels Wisconsin is his place and home.

By the by, drive in Boston and you'll think you entered a different universe. Traffic lights are decorations and to be ignored. I'm serious, but any how I hope I haven't offended any one by these posts because I certainly didn't intend to. Just trying to understand life and guess what - I'm 40 years old and still pretty clueless.

[WIer]

Keep in mind rumors are rumors (not facts, not truth) and often are overstated. Plus I'm not sure what bad drivers you're talking about. I drive the WI and IL interstates quite often and find Illinois drivers to be far worse than WI ones, overall.

That said, one reason some Wisconsinsites don't have warm, fuzzy feelings towards some Illinoisans is due to some bad eggs. Too often, people move to a new location and try to make it like their old, whether intentionally or not.

A specific example where Illinoisans have gotten a deserved bad rap:

Madison area has been expanding outward for years. That means encroachment on farmlands. Farms are the core of our (U.S.) entire economy, and anyone who thinks otherwise should stop eating, period.

The problem: people build new homes in farm country. They then complain (I have seen a number of articles on this, so I am stating fact, not rumor) to the county or town governments about farmers running their tractors late at night, about cows mooing (horrors!) at all hours of the day and night, about smelly pig farms, and perhaps "worst" of all--farmers spreading stinking manure and chemical fertilizers on their land! These "foreigners" expect the government to stop the people who are the core of our economy and have been here often for generations to change their livlihood due to these city folks not understanding agriculture. THEY are the outsiders. They need to adapt or get out of here.

Yes, I'm sure these are just a few bad eggs, but they exist, and they give urbanites--which in S. WI in particular generally means people from Chicago area (plus Rockford and other urban parts of IL)--a bad name.

That said, Illinoisans who understand agriculture and don't come to the state with a chip on their shoulder do just fine. I've lived in WI 16 years, after growing up in the Chicago suburbs (and living in other suburban areas around the country). I live in the middle of farm country, outside any town. My house fronts farm fields. I absolutely am estatic when "my" farmer spreads his stinky manure--it means he's farming crops for another year, hasn't sold the property for residential development. Hurray! I've never felt like an outsider or anything else because of my Chicago and other suburban area history.

Another possible issue, related to this, is that Wisconsinites dislike people buying up the beautiful farms to build their 1-5 acre (or whatever) dream homes. Destroying natural land, ruining ever dwindling farmland, driving up the prices of properties, adding congestion, and so on. I haven't seen recent studies, but many people--like you--from Illinois do vacation in WI (adding to traffic congestion, especially along the interstates), then buy up here (leading to the above mentioned problems sometimes).

So it isn't prejudice, but the result of people trying to change the locals. This isn't something unique to WI/IL at all, by the way.

Originally Posted by IMISSNY

I know I may be opening myself up for a lot of hatred and mean remarks, but I don't get it. I was born and raised in upstate New York, but I moved to Chicago and lived there for a few years before locating out in Harvard and then Loves Park, Illinois. I have vacationed for years in Wisconsin and have fallen in love with it, especially the LaCrosse area because its very similar to the region I grew up in . . . the hills and such.

I do not understand, however, because I have not personally experienced it except through rumor and some impatient drivers, this deep rooted hatred towards people from "Ill-annoy." I think its really sad that people are judged based on their geographic choice of living. We are asked through advertisements to vacation in Wisconsin and yet we are told that Wisconsin people would rather we stay home. This forum has really driven that point home and for the first time not through rumor.

My husband and I are still going ahead with plans to relocate to Wisconsin. We were going to return to New York State, but decided we like the midwest and love the State of Wisconsin. If we're not welcomed not a big deal, but unfortunate for our 3 year old son who will consider himself native after growing up there. I do hope the kids aren't as prejudiced as apparently the parents may be.

Thanks for letting me vent and I would hope to get some responses that can explain the judgements based on being from Illinois so that I might come to understand why we're so hated.

[montyc]

Originally Posted by IMISSNY

Well this explains how some people formulate opinions and this is how racism is started and prevails. Bad encounters with some equal the whole. Interesting.

Well I lived in the bad part of town and every (you fill in) person I met was a creep, a jerk, a drug user, a gangbanger, a (you fill in it) and therefore, everyone in that race must be a (you fill in it).

I stated in my original post that the majority that "I" saw are like this. Not "ALL" but the majority. I also pointed out that while in Illinois most residents are nice people. You may need to look up the definition of racism, because what I am talking about are people VISITING from a neigboring state. I never brought up race, only Illinois residents. It sounds to me like you have a chip on your shoulder. Good luck with that.

Monty

[Homewardbound66]

Originally Posted by montyc

I have lived in Wisconsin all of my life....34 years. I don't hate people from Illinois, but from what I have experienced, the majority have no respect for this state while visiting. For example, every single vehicle that I see....and yes I mean EVERY that is from Illinois driving northwest on I-90 is doing a minimum of 75 mph. I have noticed the drivers are much more agressive than my fellow Wisconsinites. I have a delivery route that consists of the I-90 from Madison to the state line of Illinois and I see it everyday. Another thing is the arrogant attitude I have encountered from almost every Illini I have come in contact with here. It's funny because, down in Illinois when I visit, they come across as much nicer people. In my honest opinion there are three main factors of why people from Wisconsin dont care for the people of Illinois:

1. When THEY visit US, THEY don't have to pay any TOLLS!
2. Way too many people migrating from Chicago
3. Bad driving habits and attitudes

This is my solely expressed opinion based on what I have encountered and seen with my own eyes. Personally I have nothing against Illinois EXCEPT for ROAD TOLLS. I love Chicago and the plains area. Let me know if what I said sounds fair or not....I would love to hear from some Illinois people.

Take care,

Monty

Dear Monty,

My mistake - I didn't see the fact that you had indicated in the sentence previous to the one I have outlined that you said "the majority have no respect for this state while visiting." I just saw the very next sentence where you said, For example, every single vehicle that I see....and yes I mean EVERY that is from Illinois driving northwest on I-90 is doing a minimum of 75 mph. I have noticed the drivers are much more agressive than my fellow Wisconsinites.

Again, I am very sorry to have offended you. As far as racism, I was saying this thought process, ie prejudice, is how racism gets started. I guess I should have been clearer. As far as having a chip on my shoulder, no, not really. I've never experienced racism, per se. I have experienced prejudice by my car wearing Illinois plates versus Wisconsin plates. That's all folks!

[Homewardbound66]

By the way, when I said "That's all folks!" I didn't intend to cut any one off from expressing their own opinion on this thread. I just meant that's all I had to say in response.

To change the subject somewhat can someone tell me what they might know about Superior, Wisconsin? My husband may have a job offer there and I was curious about it. I was thinking its a nice area with the Apostle Islands and everything, but have been told by some that the city is not so nice. We will drive up there IF something pans out, but I thought maybe someone would have some info beforehand. Thanks.

[dreamhunter65]

Not everyone is like that..Yes alot of us Way up north do not like people from down in Illinois buying up hunting land posting it then jumping other open land..Some drive here like still in the city and show no courteousy.I known people from Chicago have house across where I grew up they were good people..But then another Illinois person tried this land jumping told neighbor kids they owned the land drew a gun on them til their dad came with title and showed him then called the cops..just a few that gets to people and some take it out on all..So us way up north people are not all bad either..


The Superior thing now..My Aunt and some cousins live up there..Not a bad place as far as I know but never lived there..She likes it her kids like it and gas actually cheaper than it is in north central..Every area has its good and bad.Best thing is go up there see it and make own decisions.

[Homewardbound66]

I agree with the fact that not everyone could possibly hold the same views as a few do. I would definitely not pick Wisconsin if I felt the "majority" felt outsiders should not be welcomed. I think the majority of people living where they do haven't grown up in the same area as they now live. I wish I could say I still lived where I grew up, but life took me down a different road and I'm excited to see where the road continues even whey it forks off when I'm not expecting it.

As far as Superior, I love rural areas and I love wilderness. I believe it comes to me because of where I grew up. We didn't have a working farm, but we had horses, pigs, cats, dogs, and ponies. My neighbors were farmers and my bestfriend up the road lived on a BIG dairy farm. I always liked spending time there and tasting the milk before it was pasturized. I also liked putting my hand and sometimes my arm in a cow's mouth. I want my son to experience this. The farmers stuck to themselves for the most part, but my Mom always said she knew they were there in case of an emergency as we would be for them.

I belong in the country and yes, I like the smell of the country. I used to kill my husband with the fact I could tell whether it was cow country or horse country based on the smell of the manure. Like I said, once a country girl, always a country girl! I thank you for your input and for everyone elses.

[montyc]

I visited Superior once about 10 years ago. It was during the fall and it was truly beautiful. Nice people and nice scenery. I would like to visit again soon. Good luck!

Monty

[Homewardbound66]

Thanks Monty -

Today's the day we'll hear if they want to interview him or not. The recruiter said they first wanted to interview a local there and if they didn't work out they'd go with my husband next. I, of course, don't wish the local guy's interview will go bad because I know something else will pop open at some point. There seems to be a lot of technology jobs in Wisconsin and that's great! Would love to find something around Vernon County, but I'm not going to hold my breath for that. We want to stay away from Milwaukee and Madison - too big for our taste. Take Care!

[dreamhunter65]

Farm girls gotta love em..Not scared to get dirty..I live in Rusk county big farm area and relatives in Milwaukee area and Chicago..So funny they come up and say " how can you handle the smell " we can say same about them but just laugh it off what smell? Hope your Husband gets the interview and find the Northwoods as you new home.Fresh air and fun.Tell him Goodluck..