State by state

Let's face it, some states are better behaved than other states. However, if you've been thinking of Illinois as some sort of bastion of righteousness, you're wrong...and more than likely new around here.

If you want to say that driving is expensive, you generally don't have to back up that statement with more than a nod toward the skyrocketing gas prices we've been dealing with for nearly a year (with no end in sight).

My parents grew up during the Great Depression, and that fact was made clear in many ways, but most notably in the foods they refused to eat. There weren't any. Period. Full stop

Just over 31 years ago, when my wife Amy and I tied the knot in June of 1991, the cost of an average wedding in the United States was $15,580. As you might imagine, that cost has gone up substantially since then.

Confession time. I'll go first. More times than I can count at this point in my life, while driving, I've shouted something to the effect of "(curse word)! (another curse word)! (a polysyllabic curse word)! Illinois drivers suck!

A friend once compared pizza to sex by saying that "even if it's not that good, it's still good." Another friend added that he felt the same way about a steak, but was countered by the first friend who told him that his steak-to-sex comparison was stupid because of the price-point.

While we complain about the cold, and the lingering winter-like conditions, we may be forgetting that at least frigid Northern Illinois weather keeps the bugs away...for the most part.

I never would have thought to dig into this topic if a friend from out of state hadn't recently (and quite randomly) asked me if Rockford is a dog or cat town, and what Illinois people prefer to have hanging around the house in the pet category.

I know. You've seen enough of these posts about Illinois' problems, whether it's high taxes, high numbers of people leaving, or whatever--that you're probably thinking "of course Illinois is the most expensive, or why would he write about this?"

While two Illinois cities are ranked in the top ten best places for St. Patrick's Day fun, 3 other Illinois municipalities also make the list for being a great place to be Irish for a day.