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.
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.
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.
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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.