It's nothing against you people from the suburbs. We love Chicago for its attractions too, but there's just some things you'll never get about us people from the outside.
1. You may have had Portillo's once or twice... but nothing beats a small town Horseshoe.
Everyone loves Italian sandwiches, but you just can't beat the taste of on-setting diabetes like a mixture of Texas toast, hamburger, french fries and cheese (or gravy, if you're one of those people).
2. The thing you look forward to most in the summer is driving around, with no destination.
Nothing to do in your small Illinois town? No problem! Just fill up the gas tank, grab some good friends and good music, and have yourself a ball flying down back roads. Oh, and grab something to eat while you're at it.
3. Your idea of a party is a bunch of trucks in a circle in the middle of nowhere.
4. . ...But not only are there parties with a circle of trucks, you may also find yourself with only a bonfire, a cold drink in your hand and lots of laughter.
In Small Town, Illinois, we look for just about every reason to throw a party, even no reason at all. No doubt bonfires are just as popular as truck circles when it comes to throwing a party with your friends. All you need is a bonfire and some friends to have a good time.
5. You've visited a cemetery more than once in your teenage years to enjoy your local haunt.
You and your friends were bored on a weekend...or a weekday, so you decided to check out the "haunted cemetery" your friend told you about. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, you've undeniably been scared whilst doing this popular small-town activity.
6. There isn't a trip you've taken without driving on a road with potholes. Seriously, not even to the grocery store.
It could be hours before a pothole gets fixed in small-town Illinois, or it could be days, months, or even years. Or it just may never get fixed at all. Seriously, where does the tax money go?
7. If you run into a traffic jam on your way to work in the fall months, chances are it's not from a wreck or an accident.
It's your local friendly farmer man! He works hard to make a living, and to make sure the food gets to your table. As frustrating as it can be to be stuck behind a combine or a tractor, all small-town Illinoisans know it's for the better.
8. Seriously guys, the S in IllinoiS is silent. No exceptions.
Chances are if you have ever ran into someone from out of state, you've had this problem. For some reason, people just love to pronounce the "s" in our state's name. PSA: it just sounds stupid.
9. Almost every town or city has some claim to the life of Abraham Lincoln.
"Abraham Lincoln's second cousin's half brother once had a house here!" is one example of the type of thing you will hear living in the Land of Lincoln. No matter where you're from, your town will probably have some sort of tie to "America's Greatest President."
10. County fairs are a must-attend for all non-suburban Illinois residents.
If you haven't been to a fair in the "other" part of Illinois, you're missing out. We pride ourselves on deep-fried food and rides that will make you fear for your life that they'll break. At a county fair or sweet-corn festival, you can find almost deep-fried anything.
11. "Oh! You're from ______? Is that like...in Chicago?"
People from out of state just don't seem to get that not every town in Illinois is a suburb of Chicago. Believe it or not, mixed in with the cornfields of the rest of Illinois are small towns of actual people.
12. We all say we hate where we're from and want to leave, but most of us never will.
If you're from a small town in Illinois, chances are you've hated your town... often. But most of us will spend our entire lives here, and be happy about it. It's easy to get accustomed to living this small town life, and it can be hard to leave behind!
