I've have lived in Illinois my entire life. I was born here and raised here, but eventually, I ventured out, and although I love where I am right now, I will never love another state like I love Illinois, my home.

I am about to share with you, the best parts about living in Illinois

1. Chicago

Living in a suburb so close to Chicago is one of the best things that has ever happened to me; being able to hop on the train or in a car, and make it there in about an hour is great. The city — such a beautiful place and who can ever get sick of visiting the bean and the Chicago river? Which gets dyed green for St. Patrick's Day!

2. Portillos

Portillos is one of the best hot dog places and thankfully, Illinois has thirty-eight!

3. Sports!

Our sports lately have done so amazingly! With our hockey team, Chicago Blackhawks taking the Stanley cup, and now this year our baseball team, the Chicago Cubs making it to the World Series!

4. Deep Dish Pizza

You will not find any pizza, in any other state, as good as a deep dish pizza from Chicago!

5. All Seasons

Having every type of weather can be so much fun! Illinois summers can get extremely hot, but our winters can also be extremely cold! So bundle up in lots of layers when Christmas time comes around!

6. Six Flags

Six Flags is one of Illinois biggest tourist attractions. Growing up about five minutes from this amusement park made my childhood the best I could ever ask for!

7. Our Chicago Beach

The beach is measured at about 260 feet long, what's better in the summer than running into Lake Michigan to cool yourself down!

8.Pumpkins

Surprisingly, Illinois is known for growing pumpkins! Illinois has the highest growing rate of pumpkins, and what would we do without Pumpkin Pie!

9. Community

Growing up, I lived in Gurnee, IL. Gurnee has formed who I am today and the people in it have made me a better person. I went to one of the biggest schools, Warren Township High School. Everyone here knows that when you go to college and tell people how big the high school was - how we had to split it into two different buildings - they're completely shocked!

10. Corn

Although Illinois has its perks of the city life, we also have the corn life. Miles and miles of Illinois are covered in farm and corn fields.

Whether you live in the corn fields or the dead center of Chicago, Illinois will always have a special place in our hearts. I wouldn't want to have grown up anywhere else!

Illinois will always mean so much to me, it's where my family is and it's where all of my memories are. Although the weather can be harsh and the drama can be mean, I wouldn't have wanted to grow up anywhere else.