great state  

Illinois means Chicago. Chicago means Uno's Deep Dish Pizza, The Bears, The Cubs, and the St valentine Day's Masacre. Sammy Sosa, I know he is gone but I still think of him as a cub.Navy Pier, Sears Building, a place I would like to visit.

Other than being next door to it I never really give it much thought.

I have been through it a few times, and they have trees, and stuff, their gas taxes were running higher than ours, and theres this big river between us.

I can't travel anymore so I stay on my side and they don't bother me none either....:)

I live 35 miles west of Chicago. Chicago, itself, is a nice place to visit. However, there are so many other parts of Illinois to see. Corn fields galore. Lots of cows. Fresh air. Great fishing, in the many lakes. The captiol in Springfield. Country roads with no tolls. Lots of green grass and large trees. Amazing countryside views. Indian trails. Bike trails. Lots of forest preserves. Six Flags in Gurnee. Antique villages, with cobblestone streets. A lot of friendly people, a lot of not so friendly people. Great shopping.
Too many tolls and not enough tollways in good condition, if any. Two seasons...winter and construction!! Tornadoes. Wind, wind, wind.
My roots are here and most of my family. My Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Fighting Illini, Southern Illinois Salukis and DePaul Blue Demons are here. Fantastic Zoos and Museums. Lake Michigan, some great beaches and some not so great beaches. Some very wealthy neighborhoods, most average and some very low income. Diversity is everywhere. Excellent Colleges.
It is a basically clean state. I enjoy living here. I have lived in New York and would rather live in my home state of Illinois.

I am sure it is a nice state. I have never been there, and do not know anythng about it. I'd apreciate it if you would inform me a bit!

I didn't live in state of illinois but I pass that state once a while in fact I am here by now.So I can't say aabout what is negative and positive.But only I observe if I driving in chicago.Theres a lot of traffic most of a time thats why I hate that.

I have never been there. I am sure there is lot of things to see if I ever visit there.

My husband and I look forward to visiting Illinois one of these years. When I hear that State name the first thing I think of is yummy corn and the huge corn fields. Second, I think of the "the windy city." I would also like to attend a taping of Oprah as that is where her headquarters of Harpo is. The people, from what I've read, seem like they are down to earth and friendly. My husband and I would love to see either the Chicago Blackhawks or the Chicaco Cubs play a home game. I'm sure my husband would also love seeing the Chicago Bears play but I'd go shopping since I'm not a big football fan. I don't think that there is anything really negative that I've read about Illinois, but I don't think I'd want to go there in January because of the cold temperatures.

I must say I don't know much about Illinois, only old stories about Chicago and the old mafia movies :) I know it's nothing like that anymore :) and I also so it in some recent movies, it's a beautiful big city . have a nice day :)

Illinois means home to me. I was born in Oak Lawn, a suburb of Chicago. Most of my family still lives in Illinois and to me I always consider Illinois my home. I love the sights and smells that are associated with my memories of Illinois...Lincoln's home, Lake Michigan, pizza, hot dog vendors, my family. Illinois is a great state to me, full of life and culture, not just in Chicago or in the people, but in the land.

I've been to Chicago twice and really enjoyed the city...especially the restaurants. I ate at Ed Debevics and Oprah's restaurant "The Intrigue" which I know isn't there anymore.

I will soon me moving to the Milwaukee area (in the next 3-6 months) so I suppose I'll have the opportunity to explore other parts of Illinois.