Illinois is the most amazing state in the union. And yet, we have that second-city complex–competing with the likes of New York and California. But just because we’re not on a coast doesn’t mean we don’t rock. Here are ten reasons why Illinois is the most underrated state.
- Chicago.
Tony Webster/Flickr Everyone’s talking about NYC and LA, but really, Chicago is a great town. We have one of the best restaurant scenes in the country, first class museums, awesome architecture, and great entertainment.
- Portillo’s.
bbmcshane/Flickr Really, though, Portillo’s is the absolute best, you know you love it. And you have to thank Illinois for the origin of Portillo’s.
- Route 66 starts here.
Ron Frazier/Flickr You know you’re important when Route 66, one of the most important byways at that time, started right in Illinois.
- We developed deep dish pizza.
AnneCN/Flickr This is the epitome of EXTRA CHEESE. Almost like a lasagna/pizza hybrid. So good.
- We gave you the web browser.
Chris Caceres Alhambra/Flickr Heck, you wouldn’t even be reading this story right now if you didn’t have a web browser. Mosaic was developed at the University of Illinois. It was the first graphical web browser available to the public.
- Lake Michigan.
JohnPickenPhoto/Flickr With its urban vantage point, there might not be a more beautiful or distinctive of the Great Lakes. We quite like it.
- Iconic sports figures.
Alberto Cabello/Flickr We have straight up superstars in Chicago….Michael Jordan, Ernie Banks, Walter Payton. These guys are larger than life.
- Natural beauty.
Anne Swoboda/Flickr Everyone thinks Illinois either looks like Chicago or cornfields. But there are actually some awesome sights like Starved Rock and Garden of the Gods.
- We have the only river that flows backwards.
Hans E Hyttinen/Flickr Some awesome engineering allowed us to reverse the flow of the Chicago River. Also, it’s green from years of being dyed for St. Patrick’s Day. Also, St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago could be an entire other reason why we are underrated.
- We’re friendly.
Moyan Brenn/Flickr There’s something about “Illinois Nice.” We are friendly, happy people.
Why else is Illinois underrated? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
Tony Webster/Flickr
Everyone’s talking about NYC and LA, but really, Chicago is a great town. We have one of the best restaurant scenes in the country, first class museums, awesome architecture, and great entertainment.
bbmcshane/Flickr
Really, though, Portillo’s is the absolute best, you know you love it. And you have to thank Illinois for the origin of Portillo’s.
Ron Frazier/Flickr
You know you’re important when Route 66, one of the most important byways at that time, started right in Illinois.
AnneCN/Flickr
This is the epitome of EXTRA CHEESE. Almost like a lasagna/pizza hybrid. So good.
Chris Caceres Alhambra/Flickr
Heck, you wouldn’t even be reading this story right now if you didn’t have a web browser. Mosaic was developed at the University of Illinois. It was the first graphical web browser available to the public.
JohnPickenPhoto/Flickr
With its urban vantage point, there might not be a more beautiful or distinctive of the Great Lakes. We quite like it.
Alberto Cabello/Flickr
We have straight up superstars in Chicago….Michael Jordan, Ernie Banks, Walter Payton. These guys are larger than life.
Anne Swoboda/Flickr
Everyone thinks Illinois either looks like Chicago or cornfields. But there are actually some awesome sights like Starved Rock and Garden of the Gods.
Hans E Hyttinen/Flickr
Some awesome engineering allowed us to reverse the flow of the Chicago River. Also, it’s green from years of being dyed for St. Patrick’s Day. Also, St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago could be an entire other reason why we are underrated.
Moyan Brenn/Flickr
There’s something about “Illinois Nice.” We are friendly, happy people.
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