Do you know what would really, really, really suck? Your state not being in existence anymore. Scary thought, huh? It’s pretty improbable, but if it did happen, here are the eight most likely ways.
- Chicago ceases to exist.
Roman Boad/Flickr Even Southern Illinois readers, who have colorful nicknames for our largest city, will agree that a lot of people even know where Illinois is because of Chicago. Hate it or not, Chicago is a large reason why people visit Illinois.
- All humans and animals stopped eating corn.
Rosana Pradia/Flickr This is highly unlikely. But corn is a major part of our economy, and Illinois would definitely take a hit if corn was no longer consumed.
- A giant tornado or series of tornadoes comes and wipes everything out.
Ryan-O/Flickr Nah, this is unlikely, because even the most devastating tornadoes on record left states intact. But this is really the only natural disaster that could get us, as we are fortunate not to have to deal with hurricanes, etc.
- All of the smart people move away.
Quinn Dombroski/Flickr One of the main reasons Illinois is successful is that lots of smart people live here, and people consult them for legal, financial, and other advice. So smart people, please stay!
- The entire state is underwater with floods.
Dennis Carr/Flickr Illinois has some flooding problems, because we have a ton of rivers in our state. Some towns have been devastated by flooding. But some freaky weather things would all have to happen at the same time for much of the state to be affected.
- If/when the Cubs win it all.
Rob Cogswell/Flickr Eventually, it’s got to happen. But when it does, I don’t even want to be anywhere near downtown. At its extreme, there could be riots and maybe the whole state will shut down. Who knows. But it would be epic.
- Portillo’s takes all of their restaurants to another state.
odonata98/Flickr I definitely think that if Portillo’s picked up and moved all of their locations and moved them to another state, there would be chaos. People drive out of their way to eat at this place. They might relocate. It would cause great discontent.
- People stop living here.
Doug Kerr/Flickr Really, the only way that Illinois could be wiped off the map is if everyone moved away. Generations of families live here, and when people move here, they tend to stay. Illinois has its problems, but it’s a great place and we’re not going anywhere.
What do you think? Are there more likely ways Illinois would be wiped off the map? Let us know in the comments.
Roman Boad/Flickr
Even Southern Illinois readers, who have colorful nicknames for our largest city, will agree that a lot of people even know where Illinois is because of Chicago. Hate it or not, Chicago is a large reason why people visit Illinois.
Rosana Pradia/Flickr
This is highly unlikely. But corn is a major part of our economy, and Illinois would definitely take a hit if corn was no longer consumed.
Ryan-O/Flickr
Nah, this is unlikely, because even the most devastating tornadoes on record left states intact. But this is really the only natural disaster that could get us, as we are fortunate not to have to deal with hurricanes, etc.
Quinn Dombroski/Flickr
One of the main reasons Illinois is successful is that lots of smart people live here, and people consult them for legal, financial, and other advice. So smart people, please stay!
Dennis Carr/Flickr
Illinois has some flooding problems, because we have a ton of rivers in our state. Some towns have been devastated by flooding. But some freaky weather things would all have to happen at the same time for much of the state to be affected.
Rob Cogswell/Flickr
Eventually, it’s got to happen. But when it does, I don’t even want to be anywhere near downtown. At its extreme, there could be riots and maybe the whole state will shut down. Who knows. But it would be epic.
odonata98/Flickr
I definitely think that if Portillo’s picked up and moved all of their locations and moved them to another state, there would be chaos. People drive out of their way to eat at this place. They might relocate. It would cause great discontent.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Really, the only way that Illinois could be wiped off the map is if everyone moved away. Generations of families live here, and when people move here, they tend to stay. Illinois has its problems, but it’s a great place and we’re not going anywhere.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
