What Illinoisans Think When They Hear the Word “Illinois”

Ask someone from Illinois what immediately comes to mind when they hear "Illinois," and the answer may say as much about their memories as it does about the state itself.

For Some, Illinois Means More

In the "I Grew Up in Illinois" Facebook group, hundreds of people recently answered the question with responses that range from heartfelt to hilarious, and frequently were brutally honest.

For many, the first word was simply "Home."

Several people mentioned childhood memories, family, and hometowns. One person recalled growing up on a family farm in Morgan County, while another described Illinois as their "family home." Others simply answered "My Home," "Home Sweet Home' or "Childhood memories."

Fall Colors, Farms, and Plenty of Food

Illinois' landscape also sparked plenty of memories. One post immediately thought of the beautiful fall colors on Grandview Drive in Peoria, while others mentioned farmland, corn, and what they considered some of the state's best food.

"Best farm land in the world" was another response, while one person summed it up simply as "Good Food."

For others, Illinois meant the outdoors, including "Lake Front," or memories of traveling across the state from Chicago to Carbondale and DeKalb to Rockford.

Then There Were the Taxes

Of course, not everyone went sentimental. Taxes were one of the most common answers, with posts saying everything from "high taxes" to "Taxed to the max." Government, politics, and corruption also appeared repeatedly.

Chicago was another popular answer, with some people embracing their love for the Second City, whild other blamed it for what they see as problems throughout the rest of the state.

Sports, Lincoln, and a Silent "S"

There were also the classic Illinois answers: the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Abraham Lincoln, the State Fair, and the University of Illinois.

And then there was the humorous response that only someone from Illinois might truly appreciate: "THE S IS SILENT, IDIOT!"

What comes to mind when you hear Illinois?