1. Home Sweet Home To Four Presidents
Although Ronald Reagan, the 40th president, is the only one to have been born in Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant and Barack Obama all spent career-shaping time in Illinois on their road to the White House.
2. Where Everything Comes Together
Bordering Illinois to the north is Wisconsin, and to the south are Kentucky and Missouri. While most of the state is flat prairie, it's also part of the Great Lakes region to the northeast, the Mississippi River to the west, and the point where the Mississippi and Ohio rivers meet. If you continue west you'll eventually reach Iowa and east leads you to Indiana, where the Eastern Time Zone begins. Who needs to go on vacation?
3. Illinois Had The World's First Skyscraper...
The Home Insurance Building in Chicago was the first skyscraper on earth, built in 1884. 10 stories and 138 feet tall, it was dubbed the "Chicago Skeleton." That might seem small by today's standards, but at the time it was huge! Unfortunately, the landmark was demolished in 1931.
4. ... And, For A While, Also The Tallest
The Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower) was completed in 1973 in Chicago, and is still the tallest building in the western hemisphere and the 8th tallest in the world. Its elevators are among the fastest in the world, traveling 1,600 feet per minute!
5. It's Superior. Seriously.
"Illinois" is actually an Algonquin word meaning "tribe of superior men." So it's actually officially better than your state.
6. You're In Cubs Territory. Also Bulls.
These are seven of the most important words in Illinois: Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, White Sox, Cubs, and Fire. All of the state's pro sports teams are located in Chicago, but fans of the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, White Sox and are all over the state, trust me.
7.It's Not The 'Interstate,' It's The 'Expressway'
When you drive on the expressway, you call it by its name, not its number. For example, the signs say you're on I-55, but you say you're taking the Stevenson. Need to head up to Glenview? Jump on the Edens, not the I-94, as the sign says.
8. Illinois Turned The Tide (And Pissed Off St. Louis)
Starting in 1892 three canals were built in Chicago and reversed the flow of the Chicago River, sending the city's sending its waste away from Lake Michigan-and straight to St. Louis. The city filed an injunction to stop the project, so Chicagoans gallantly stepped up and diverted the river on the same day the injunction was filed.
9. Superman Lived Here...
Superman's hometown, Metropolis, is actually located in Southern Illinois.
10. ...And Batman Did Too
Although artists have depicted Gotham City in different ways, Chicago has always been one of several cities serving as inspiration for the comic book location. Christopher Nolan's popular depiction features distinct Chicago architecture, and the city was heavily used as a filming location for his first two Batman films.
11. But Illinoisans' Real Hero Is Mike Ditka
He was sent from heaven, and they all love him and his sweet little mustache dearly. And, while I'm on the topic of Ditka, Illinoisans don't say "da" in front of sports teams' names because that's how they actually talk—they say it because that's what's expected of them.
12. Our Governors Cannot Stop Going To Jail
Illinois politicians are famous for being corrupt, even since the 1850s. Four of the state's last seven governors have gone to prison: Rod Blagojevich, George Ryan, Dan Walker and Otto Kerner. Blagojevich also has the distinction of having been the only Illinois governor to ever be impeached. We're so proud.
13. Our Prehistoric Civilizations Were Bigger Than Yours
Back in 1250 AD, a city called Cahokia located near what is now Collinsville, Illinois was larger than London at the time. Today it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. It's the most sophisticated known prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico.
14. We Helped End Slavery
The famous Lincoln-Douglas debates that stirred up interest in the issue of slavery all over the country were held in cities all over the state. Illinois was also the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery.
15. Some Say "Pop," Others Say "Soda"
Thirsty for a fizzy, sweet beverage? If you're among the majority of Illinois' population, order your favorite pop. This is the Midwest, after all. However, in some parts of central and southern Illinois you may still hear "soda." If you say "pop" in the southern part of the state, it'll be obvious you're a northerner, and if you say "soda," in the northern half they'll think you're uppity and pretending to be from New England. You can't win.
16. We're Anti-Gun...
... and yet we have so many of them. Gun crimes aren't exactly low in Illinois- especially Chicago-but at the same time, the state is well known for its strict gun laws. In 2013, the state became the last to finally allow residents to apply for permits to carry concealed guns in public.
17. We Love Casimir Pulaski
No one outside of Illinois really knows who he is, but the Polish and American hero is an important figure within the state. The first Monday of March is Casimir Pulaski Day, and there are multiple locations throughout the state named for him. Even better, many Illinois schools get the day off, making him super popular with the kids.
18. A Land Divided (Kind Of)
Many people in Illinois say the state feels more like just a large city surrounded by farms and small towns, and cut it into two parts: Chicago and Downstate (pretty much anything south of I-80). More than two-thirds of the population lives in Chicago and its suburbs, and the city is so Democratic it propels the whole state into the most top most Democratic in the country.
19. Illinois Gave The World McDonald's...
Are you having a Big Mac Attack? If you're in Des Plaines you can pay your respects at the replica of the very first McDonalds. But don't try to order anything-it's just a museum.
20. ...And Jazz
In the years leading up to the "Roaring 20s" many African Americans moved from the South in search of better jobs and hoping to leave discrimination behind. And they brought a new kind of music, which was coined "jazz" in Chicago in 1914. You're welcome.
21. Home Of The Original Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is the nation's oldest zoo, dating back to 1868. It was and has always been free! zoo, and became a part of the Chicago Park District in 1934.
22. We're Illinoisans, Okay?
People from Illinois are called Illinoisans, pronounced "ill-uh-noy-ans." If you don't get it right we'll "Ill-annoy" you until you do. Ha.
23. The First To Bring Outer Space Inside
These people just have to be first in everything. The Adler Planetarium in Chicago was the first in the Western hemisphere, founded in 1930. It's also home to one of the three most complete collections of astronomy, timekeeping, navigation and engineering in the world.
24. Illinois Women Are Trailblazers
Cedarville-born Jane Addams is famous for founding the Hull House to aid immigrants in Chicago, and was the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Chicago native Hillary Clinton was the first First Lady to win a seat in the Senate. But who will always be the First Lady of our hearts? Oprah, of course.
25. Your Favorite Movie Was Probably Filmed Here
In the early 1960s, a 12-year-old named John Hughes moved with his family to Northbrook. It was here that he was inspired to make the films that would make him (and the area) famous: "The Breakfast Club," "Sixteen Candles," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," "Home Alone," "Uncle Buck" and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Need I go on?
26. The State Dance Is Square Dancing
Sure, the state animal is the white-tailed deer, its state prairie grass is the big bluestem and the state tree is the white oak, but square dancing? Although it seems a bit odd at first, square dancing is a uniquely American folk dance with roots going back to the 1600s in England, France, Ireland, Spain, Scandinavia and Scotland.
27. Galena Is Historic. Officially.
85 percent of the northwestern Illinois town of Galena is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The whole town. Not surprisingly, the Galena Historic District is the second most popular tourist destination in Illinois. They're all secret history geeks.
28. The Capital Is....Springfield!
Many people from out-of-state think that because Chicago is the state's largest city, it's also the capital. Surprise! The state capital is in fact Springfield, in central Illinois. D'oh.
29. We All Talk Funny
Illinois is a strange meeting ground of various accents. People in the north, especially the Chicago area, say things like "Chi-caw-go," while the farther south you go the more you'll hear locals speaking with a Southern twang. Central Illinoisans have also added their special touches to the language, like "worsh" instead of "wash."
30. Everyone Has A Different Favorite Food
Upstate you'll want a Chicago Dog, a culinary masterpiece with yellow mustard, bright green sweet pickle relish, chopped white onions, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers and a little celery salt.
If you're downstate, you'll need some love on a plate, a ponyshoe or a horseshoe, depending on how hungry you are.
31. Peoria Was Here Long Before Illinois
Springfield is the state capital and Chicago is the largest city, but the state's oldest community is Peoria, established waaay back in 1691 by French explorer Henri de Tonti.
32. The 'S' Is Silent
We're from Ill-in-oy, not Ill-in-noise. Duh.
33. We Love Our Deep Dish
We're sick of Chicago-style deep dish pizza being compared to other pizzas. There is no comparison. Comparing Chicago-style to New York-style is like comparing a cake to a cookie; they're both sweet, but the similarities end there.
But if you're really not a fan of the thick, gooey goodness there's a good chance your local pizza place also serves thin crust'and Italian beef. And when we take it home, we call it 'carry out' not 'to go.'
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to call my deep dish order in a good half hour before going to the restaurant, because that magic takes time.
