Illinois - The US Explained

Music -

Intro Video Segments-

[vopvoopone]

I grew up in the north suburbs of Chicago and it is such a wonderful city. Nothing beats the variety of food, activities, architecture, cleanliness, cost of living… I could go on and on. I moved to Cleveland for school then decided to stay (most underrated city in the country IMO), but Chicago will always have my heart.

[dinibo]

I've lived in central Illinois my entire life but have been lucky enough to travel the country extensively and still feel for your money it is the most balanced and perfect state. Yes, down state whines about Chicago but deep down we know we are extremely lucky to have her and her $. We are lucky to be just a couple of hours from St. Louis, Indianapolis and Chicago so we can enjoy rural life or city life whenever we like. The state is perfect for raising a family and overall very safe. I have visited Chicago hundreds of times and never once felt in danger. Don't go looking for trouble and you won't find it.

[Steveofthejungle]

Chicago is hands down my favorite city in the country. Such a cool city that manages to still be Midwestern at its core. Chicago in the summer is the best city in the world

[cbjm]

I’m from Columbus, but a lot of my friends from college have moved to Chicago since graduating, whether they were already from there or from elsewhere. Needless to say I am very jealous of them as Chicago seems like an amazing city for young people

[FlashTriggr]

As a southern illinoisan who has spent a good amount of time in Chicago, it’s hard to diminish the importance of Chicago on the state, yet it is endlessly annoying to be treated as “the rest of illinois”. You did a fantastic job highlighting all aspects of Illinois in a balanced manner and I wish more people would explore more corners of the state. You nailed it when you talked about the diversity of the state, it’s really staggering and I don’t thing Chicago natives like to acknowledge it like they should.

[jeepmega]

I didn’t realize how beautiful Chicago was before, this video really opened my eyes!

[justamaninTN]

Illinois certainly has its problems and downsides, but you cannot deny its place as one of the most influential and accomplished states in the country! I was born in Aurora, IL. Only lived there 3 years total, but I go back to Chicagoland all the time. The history of Chicago is absolutely fascinating. Like many great cities of the world such as Rome or London, it came from the humblest of beginnings. A festering swamp in the most sparsely populated area in the country to the national rail hub of the US to a global economic power teeming with skyscrapers, art and some of the finest universities in the world. How many cities do you know that have raised the city up a story, reversed the flow of a river or rose like a phoenix out of one of the most devastating fires in history? It’s only Chicago. Chicago is excellence and innovation personified! And what’s hilarious is I find most Illinoisans I know to be a self-deprecating folk, but they have to always be thinking they have something very special in Illinois. Illinois and Chicago in particular are under a lot of scrutiny by the media and people of the US outside of Illinois, but if you just go to downtown Chicago in June and experience it for yourself, I don’t see how you don’t just fall in love with that city. You may be able to tell, I really like Illinois! Illinois rocks!

[bpekim]

Long time Chicagoan - really appreciate the conglomeration of all the early history of Illinois and the territories and populations throughout the ages. Enjoy your site!

[Madaboutmada]

As a Chicagoan from Uptown, I approve this research. You have done a truly thoughtful piece on my beloved city. 🙂

[certified-businessgroup]

WELCOME BACK SIR.. 🎉 I appreciate the time and respect you put into each and every one of these state history videos. We know it takes a lot of time and research. Thank you and blessings to you and your family.

[CortexNewsService]

It was pretty well done and balanced. Nice job. You did forget a few famous people from Illinois, but there's so many that I'm really not gonna hold that against you.
I'm Indiana-born, but moved to Illinois in 1997. It is my home now. Lived for 23 years in Chicago, LOVED the city. It's big, loud, beautiful, violent, vibrant, world class, arrogant and diverse. Part of the reason I loved living there for so long. I loved being able to hear five different languages (English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and Hindi) just walking to the corner store. The only reason I did leave was because of a major personal loss. As much as I love the city, it held too many memories and wasn't home anymore. I do still visit though.
I'm in Central Illinois and have fallen in love with it too. The culture is very different, more similar to what I grew up with in Indiana, but still surprisingly welcoming and dynamic. It's great that the different areas of the state are so different. Illinois does have a lot of problems. Trust me, we are VERY aware of them. But it's home. I honestly wouldn't change that for the world.

[Sudique]

Thank you so much for making this video. I'm an Army brat and grew up in Washington, D.C., by way of other places. My ex and I visited to Chicago to check out the University of Chicago, where he had been accepted in the MBA program. We flew into Midway Airport. After the plane taxied to the gate, we walked down the jetway. When my feet hit the ground, I looked around, turned to my ex and said, "This is the place". That was in 1978 and I've been here ever since. My family and college friends think I'm nuts, but I love the mid-west, and I love Chicago. From here I've been able to visit the beautiful eastern shore of Minnesota, the Apostle Islands in Northern Wisconsin. In fact, I've been able to see much of what the rest of the country considers 'fly-over' country. Illinois and Chicago do have serious problems but, I would rather live here than any other state EXCEPT Montana and Wyoming. Can't move cuz I'm too old now! Thanks, again.

[FeltNokia]

Excited to see my state finally featured! I really enjoyed this one, and learned a lot that I feel like I should've already known. A few bits:

15:38 "Elgin" is pronounced EL-jin, with a soft G.
18:08 Confusingly, there are actually 5 quad cities. Seriously. On the IL side are Rock Island, Moline, & East Moline, along with Bettendorf & Davenport on the IA side.
I was surprised to see you didn't mention the Haymarket Riots & Chicago's role in the American labor movement in your Chicago history section. I feel like the Burnham Plan & its effect on the city we see today also deserved a quick mention.

Awesome video!

[BRMSATXSTLOKCMKE]

Milwaukee resident here. I love being so close to Chicago and having frequent train service to get there.

Illinois is one of my favorite states. Like others have said in the comments, people from Illinois seem to not have much state pride. People that live there should be proud of their state. Illinois has great history, decent politics, a world class city, friendly people, nice beaches along Lake Michigan, respected universities, important exports that help the US and the World, and more!

[rafaelbarrera]

Wow, as a former tour guide atop Chicago’s double decker buses, that was a lot of details on Illinois, if this was a college project I’d give you an A+. From southern Illinois with its beautiful views of Shawnee National Forest, historic Springfield with its Abraham Lincoln sites, Cahokia Mounds (ancient pyramid like structures), charming Galena in the northwest to Chicago. Illinois has an abundance of rich diversity, and rich farmland.

[HighHolyOne]

Interesting --you made me research the term 'driftless region' and I learned a lot. You've done an exceptional job really exploring the identity of the State of Illinois.

[bathroomstahl]

As an Illinois resident, I truly did enjoy the video. Personally, I've lived in Illinois for most of my life, and in three seperate, yet distinct, parts of it: southern, south-central, and north-central. I grew up in southern Illinois, and much of what you said about it was correct. While I understand that its importance in the state is rather low, I sorta wished you had gone into more detail about it lol. I will say, it was a little surprising to not hear Carbondale mentioned once, considering how it is one of the largest cities (if you can call it that lol) in southern Illinois. That, and how much of the coal industry has moved away from the state. While obviously it still is there, much of the southern portions of the state (where I was from at least) are filled with abandoned strip mines that are now filled with water, making extremely deep lakes pocketing the landscape--at least one of which areas was even turned into a state park. Shawnee National Forest is also something deserving of mention I believe. While you did talk about the Garden of the Gods and southern Illinois's rocky landscape, the Shawnee National Forest expands much of southern Illinois has quite a few beautiful locations for hiking and camping.

Again, I really did love the video--please do not take my criticisms as the only thing I took away from it. As many have said, it is hard to talk about this state without mentioning the sheer importance of Chicago to it. I just like to see more light shown on lesser known areas of places, as there are so many beautiful places throughout the world and especially the US :)

[AFNick]

Chicago is my second favorite American big city (San Diego #1). Great architecture, lots to do, good food, and friendly people. I would live there if it was not so cold 🥶 in the winter.

[ludecom-czwz]

Illinois, where the governor does 2 terms. One in office the other in prison.

[scygnius]

Illinoisans hold the title for the most state-hating people in the country. It's an incredibly rare thing to hear an Illinoisan say "it's pretty good here, actually!" Our self-loathing has got to be the #1 reason we've lost so many people. It's seen as cool to "escape Illinois, " frequently moving west to states like Colorado. Often joking that the Brewers' stadium is "Wrigley North, " I now add that the Rockies' stadium is "Wrigley West." I was amazed to discover that Denver has a Lou Malnati's, to support the massive Illinois exodus. (Every single person I know who's left the state says the same thing to me: "I miss the pizza.")

As a lifelong Illinoisan who's had the blessing of seeing a lot of the country, I've began to realize how privileged we are for our state-hate. I shudder at the housing prices in America's currently "hot" markets. I couldn't imagine living in the South (Illinois summers are humid enough). Illinois truthfully is not a bad place. You can do a lot worse choosing a state to live in. My personal take is that much of the Illinois hate comes from a sentiment, deep down in our hearts, of knowing how good Illinois *could* be. Whether it be national decisions like the Jones Act or state politicians kicking our state while it's down, it is largely a case of self-destruction. Politicians here run on platforms of "I'll give you candy now so you'll get cavities later, " putting us in a politician-induced death spiral. Despite the fact that the "Rust Belt" moniker is running out of style and manufacturing continues to re-grow, most Illinoisans still have this sentiment that we're in a state of decline; in large enough consensus, this becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I have strong faith that Illinois will rebound. With plenty of cheap land, a diverse economy, climate change affecting other parts of the country, and our state's geographic importance as the shipping, transport, and agricultural hub of the nation, it's only a matter of time before Illinois becomes a desirable place to live again.

Great video! I couldn't have described my home state any better.