People from Illinois sure love to talk about the reasons why Illinois can stink sometimes. We point to the bad weather, incompetent people in Springfield, crime, etc. But our opinions about Illinois really change once we leave. Hey, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Here are 10 things people miss the most about Illinois once they leave.
- Nice People
Anders Lejczak/Flickr The vast majority of people in Illinois are nice Midwestern folk, and while you take that for granted living here, that’s not the case across the country. So when someone smiles at you, smile back!
- Portillo’s
Sam Howzit/Flickr You don’t know how many people make Portillo’s their first stop when they come back to Illinois to visit. And the Portillo’s cravings are unreal.
- Snow Days
Adam Browning/Flickr Sure, snow causes bad traffic and other headaches, but there’s nothing like a fresh blanketing of snow, particularly around the holidays.
- Fall
paul bica/Flickr Boy, if you’ve been remotely awake these last couple months, you’ve appreciated how awesome this season has been. Illinois looks gorgeous this time of year.
- Casimir Pulaski Day
David Guittierez/Flickr Do we know much more about Mr. Pulaski than he was Polish and that we get a day off of school because of him? Probably not.
- People Eat Hot Dogs Incorrectly
Eden, Janine, and Jim/Flickr Seriously, not only do people put KETCHUP on hot dogs, but they also enjoy it. What is wrong with you people?!
- Six Flags Great America
Eden, Janine, and Jim/Flickr Who doesn’t have awesome family memories around a trip to Six Flags? This place was awesome, and you will definitely miss it.
- Lake Michigan
Kim/Flickr Lake Michigan was about the only reason I could navigate Chicago, because I always knew it was to the east. Beyond being a great directional tool, it is also gorgeous to look out over.
- Illinois Sports
Jim Larrison/Flickr Seriously, are there more intense fans of sports than people from Illinois? Lose a game, and the sports radio hosts are ready to fire everyone on the team. It’s a roller coaster of emotions and I absolutely love it.
- Cornfields
James Jordan/Flickr Yeah, right now you whiz by them down the road, not paying them any mind. But consider getting up early one morning and seeing the sun rise over one of them. It’s beautiful. It’s Illinois.
Did you move away from Illinois ever? What did you miss the most? Let us know in the comments.
Anders Lejczak/Flickr
The vast majority of people in Illinois are nice Midwestern folk, and while you take that for granted living here, that’s not the case across the country. So when someone smiles at you, smile back!
Sam Howzit/Flickr
You don’t know how many people make Portillo’s their first stop when they come back to Illinois to visit. And the Portillo’s cravings are unreal.
Adam Browning/Flickr
Sure, snow causes bad traffic and other headaches, but there’s nothing like a fresh blanketing of snow, particularly around the holidays.
paul bica/Flickr
Boy, if you’ve been remotely awake these last couple months, you’ve appreciated how awesome this season has been. Illinois looks gorgeous this time of year.
David Guittierez/Flickr
Do we know much more about Mr. Pulaski than he was Polish and that we get a day off of school because of him? Probably not.
Eden, Janine, and Jim/Flickr
Seriously, not only do people put KETCHUP on hot dogs, but they also enjoy it. What is wrong with you people?!
Who doesn’t have awesome family memories around a trip to Six Flags? This place was awesome, and you will definitely miss it.
Kim/Flickr
Lake Michigan was about the only reason I could navigate Chicago, because I always knew it was to the east. Beyond being a great directional tool, it is also gorgeous to look out over.
Jim Larrison/Flickr
Seriously, are there more intense fans of sports than people from Illinois? Lose a game, and the sports radio hosts are ready to fire everyone on the team. It’s a roller coaster of emotions and I absolutely love it.
James Jordan/Flickr
Yeah, right now you whiz by them down the road, not paying them any mind. But consider getting up early one morning and seeing the sun rise over one of them. It’s beautiful. It’s Illinois.
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