Illinois counties

Illinois is 2nd in the nation in something called "outbound migration," which is just a fancy way of saying "people bolting from your state." While not every single county in Illinois is in a population freefall, these 10, which include counties you're very familiar with, most certainly are.

A lack of job opportunities and access to education are just a few of the factors that make these counties the poorest in Illinois.

Winnebago County is the 7th largest county in Illinois by population, with 283,366 residents, Boone County is 25th, with 53,304 people. Ogle County is 28th with 51,446 residents.

Spoiler alert: It's not Winnebago, Boone, and/or Ogle counties that are looking to leave the state of Illinois, although at one time Winnebago County, Jo Daviess County, Stephenson County, and Boone County all tried to remove themselves from the master list of Illinois counties.

Many of us here in Northern Illinois may be giving our (at this point) substantial mask collections the old heave-ho, but not everyone in the state of Illinois is doing the mask-toss just yet.

I'm no expert, but that dude doesn't really have the authentic "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" look going for him.

Winnebago County found itself on a another list, but it's not a list to be proud of. It's been noted as one of the most unhealthiest counties in Illinois.