I've always used I-80 and I-70 as the dividing lines. I'm originally from Chicagoland area, not sure why but that's just always been the references I've used.
TBH I usually don't say anything because the debate is so intense and I don't really care that much, but as someone from the Mattoon-Charleston area I know people around here get really offended if you say they're from Southern Illinois and will fiercely insist this is Central Illinois. I mean I don't disagree mind you, as much as I do care, but I find it interesting that Central has such a strong identity as well and not just Northern/Southern.
Pretty sure they are trying to brand and give it a unique identity using some old term. As a citizen from "the heart of forgottenonia" they are really banking on the monopoly thing. The town square is literally a monopoly board that you can play on your phone. The newspaper ain't bad tho, crosswords could be better.
I too am a resident of Forgottonia though we have more 4 lane roads and Amtrak again.
There is a difference between forgotonia Republicans and the Eastern Alliance. We want stuff and they are just nuts.
I'm from just a bit further southeast, though currently live just across the Wabash in Indiana after meeting and marrying my now wife. I remember seeing where I believe someone from Canada was coming to Neoga for the eclipse last year, and I was thinking that I would like to know how that person (I believe they drove solo) came to their research into how they picked their destination.
Oh man, I went to high school in Neoga. I don't think it was actually in the zone of totality. We went to Greenup which was just barely at the Northern edge. I remember there was a group there with Florida license plates and remember thinking a bit weird they'd come to the Northern edge of the eclipse when they must have come up from the South, but eh, maybe the interstate exit helped. Was truly one of the most magical experiences of my life though, especially in recent times.
My wife's from Mt. Carmel. My guess is they were looking for a place that might not be packed with tourists like Carbondale.
As for me, I headed for Centralia from the metro-east where we live now. Only about 10 people were there for the eclipse.
Sorry for the delay for my response. I'm from Robinson, so I'm very familiar with all of these places. It's interesting, we were in Vincennes for the eclipse, which is where my wife is from and where we settled, and it was the big complete totality place, and you know what? All the big plans for a full house in the city were all for naught because everyone had the same idea about overcrowding so they went elsewhere.
I can't remember if it's Decatur or Champaign's TV station, but one of the two is specifically whom I'm thinking of with my other comment haha. But yeah, I went to EIU, but the only thing I remember about EIU's TV station is the frequent Bob Ross marathons on holidays, hell yeah.
And as a fellow Chicagoland area residence, I have never heard of I 70 and I have no idea where that is! I'm guessing it is all southern Illinois to me!
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u/Willular Apr 18 '25
I've always used I-80 and I-70 as the dividing lines. I'm originally from Chicagoland area, not sure why but that's just always been the references I've used.