There are just a few tell-tale signs that a person grew up in Illinois. Whether you realize it or not, you probably possess these characteristics, and there’s no reason to be ashamed. Illinoisans are tough, always prepared, yet very laid-back.
Here are 12 ways to know for sure that someone is from our great state:
- You cringe when someone pronounces the “s” in Illinois.
Flickr/Doug Kerr We all know it’s silent, yet there are still those few who can’t help but tack on that extra consonant. If you grew up anywhere near Illinois, hearing it said wrong is like nails on a chalk board.
- You know Chicago is not the state capital.
Flickr/Patrick Emerson Though it is the biggest city in the state, Chicago is not the center of politics for Illinois. Our governor and many state buildings are housed in Springfield which is more than half way down the state from the Windy City.
- You refer to Chicago as “the city.”
Flickr/Roman Boed Some even just refer to it as “downtown.” While this makes sense within most parts of the state, most of the world won’t know which city you are talking about if you say that.
- You’ve had a “pop” vs. “soda” debate.
Flickr/poolie Depending on which part of the state you hail from, you call that sweet, sugary drink by one of two names - and one name only. The other word just doesn’t make any sense.
- You’re used to being stuck behind tractors.
Wikimedia Commons/Hans Deragon Often taking up both lanes on a long, county road, these machines can be a real pain. Illinoisans have become experts at figuring out when to quickly (and safely) pass.
- You’re also used to being stuck while waiting for a train to pass.
Public Domain Pictures/Paul Brennan We’re not talking about speedy commuter trains. Illinois is rife with freight trains that could move at just about any pace. It’s a good time to check your phone.
- It doesn’t faze you to wear boots one day and sandals the next.
Pixabay/Free-Photos If you don’t like the weather in Illinois, wait a minute. It’s always changing, especially during spring and fall, and you may have to switch between warm and cold clothes often.
- You used to hang out at McDonalds or a mall parking lot.
Flickr/David Schott If you grew up in the small towns of Illinois, you know what it’s like when there isn’t much to do. Teens have been using parking lots and hubs of cheap food for decades.
- Summer starts for you when the local ice cream stand opens.
Wikimedia Commons/RSchulenburg Forget Memorial Day and the Solstice - we Illinoisans are ready for the beach and some frozen dairy treats as soon as they are available. We’ll take all the summer we can get since we live so many months in the cold.
- You know how to detassel corn
Wikimedia Commons/Flip Schulke As one of the country’s top corn producers, Illinois is home to a plethora of corn fields. Each harvest season, kids get jobs picking the tassels from cornstalks to help the crop grow properly.
- You’ve been told you have a cool accent.
Pexels/rawpixel.com Though you may think you don’t have an accent, those from outside the Midwest find your way of talking to be charming. Even though our speech sounds plain, people love the way we speak.
- You ignore tornado sirens.
Wikimedia Commons/Tony Webster Illinois is right in tornado alley, so we hear these alarms so often that they don’t faze us. Most of the time, they go off in the middle of the day as a test.
If you’re a true Illinoisan, a right of passage is eating at this timeless old Illinois restaurant locals can’t get enough of.
Flickr/Doug Kerr
We all know it’s silent, yet there are still those few who can’t help but tack on that extra consonant. If you grew up anywhere near Illinois, hearing it said wrong is like nails on a chalk board.
Flickr/Patrick Emerson
Though it is the biggest city in the state, Chicago is not the center of politics for Illinois. Our governor and many state buildings are housed in Springfield which is more than half way down the state from the Windy City.
Flickr/Roman Boed
Some even just refer to it as “downtown.” While this makes sense within most parts of the state, most of the world won’t know which city you are talking about if you say that.
Flickr/poolie
Depending on which part of the state you hail from, you call that sweet, sugary drink by one of two names - and one name only. The other word just doesn’t make any sense.
Wikimedia Commons/Hans Deragon
Often taking up both lanes on a long, county road, these machines can be a real pain. Illinoisans have become experts at figuring out when to quickly (and safely) pass.
Public Domain Pictures/Paul Brennan
We’re not talking about speedy commuter trains. Illinois is rife with freight trains that could move at just about any pace. It’s a good time to check your phone.
Pixabay/Free-Photos
If you don’t like the weather in Illinois, wait a minute. It’s always changing, especially during spring and fall, and you may have to switch between warm and cold clothes often.
Flickr/David Schott
If you grew up in the small towns of Illinois, you know what it’s like when there isn’t much to do. Teens have been using parking lots and hubs of cheap food for decades.
Wikimedia Commons/RSchulenburg
Forget Memorial Day and the Solstice - we Illinoisans are ready for the beach and some frozen dairy treats as soon as they are available. We’ll take all the summer we can get since we live so many months in the cold.
Wikimedia Commons/Flip Schulke
As one of the country’s top corn producers, Illinois is home to a plethora of corn fields. Each harvest season, kids get jobs picking the tassels from cornstalks to help the crop grow properly.
Pexels/rawpixel.com
Though you may think you don’t have an accent, those from outside the Midwest find your way of talking to be charming. Even though our speech sounds plain, people love the way we speak.
Wikimedia Commons/Tony Webster
Illinois is right in tornado alley, so we hear these alarms so often that they don’t faze us. Most of the time, they go off in the middle of the day as a test.
What other traits prove you grew up in Illinois? Share your thoughts with us!
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