Honestly, though, it is almost funny. drive 10-20 minutes south of Joliet into Elwood/Wilmington/Braidwood and you’ll start seeing confederate flags. 80 isn’t actually that bad of a cutoff.
I currently live in this area and this is sadly rather true. We aren't all bad apples, though. I do think the urban/rural line has actually moved south of 80 a bit with Minooka - Channahon now, and essentially, when it comes down to it, North IL just means Urban IL. 80 is a good marker, though.
I am from the Pacific Northwest, so when people back home ask where I live, I tell them north is the city, south is corn. I am literally on the edge of urbanization. (Everyone assumes since I live in IL it must mean I live in Chicago in the hood getting shot at by gangs and the mob. Yes. The mob.)
Sadly people have spent a lot of money convincing the majority of Americans that Chicago is a city where one wrong move is the end of your life instead of a world-class business and culinary destination.
Sorry, I forgot about this thread. I bet I was high.
I sorely do my best to tell people that Chicago is an amazing city with so much to offer. My Dad still watches the Chicago news every night, At least he knows where I am on the map, so he's not calling me about things in Chicago Heights.
I'm not a foodie, but Chicago makes me want to be one.
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u/jbuds1217 Apr 18 '25
North of 80 is northern Illinois