12 Legitimate Signs That You Grew Up In Illinois
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
There are just a few tell-tale signs that a person grew up in Illinois. Whether you realize it or not, you probably possess these characteristics, and there’s no reason to be ashamed. Illinoisans are tough, always prepared, yet very laid-back.
Here are 12 ways to know for sure that someone is from our great state:
We all know it's silent, yet there are still those few who can't help but tack on that extra consonant. If you grew up anywhere near Illinois, hearing it said wrong is like nails on a chalk board.
Though it is the biggest city in the state, Chicago is not the center of politics for Illinois. Our governor and many state buildings are housed in Springfield which is more than half way down the state from the Windy City.
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Some even just refer to it as "downtown." While this makes sense within most parts of the state, most of the world won't know which city you are talking about if you say that.
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Depending on which part of the state you hail from, you call that sweet, sugary drink by one of two names - and one name only. The other word just doesn't make any sense.
Often taking up both lanes on a long, county road, these machines can be a real pain. Illinoisans have become experts at figuring out when to quickly (and safely) pass.
We're not talking about speedy commuter trains. Illinois is rife with freight trains that could move at just about any pace. It's a good time to check your phone.
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If you don't like the weather in Illinois, wait a minute. It's always changing, especially during spring and fall, and you may have to switch between warm and cold clothes often.
If you grew up in the small towns of Illinois, you know what it's like when there isn't much to do. Teens have been using parking lots and hubs of cheap food for decades.
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Forget Memorial Day and the Solstice - we Illinoisans are ready for the beach and some frozen dairy treats as soon as they are available. We'll take all the summer we can get since we live so many months in the cold.
As one of the country's top corn producers, Illinois is home to a plethora of corn fields. Each harvest season, kids get jobs picking the tassels from cornstalks to help the crop grow properly.
Though you may think you don't have an accent, those from outside the Midwest find your way of talking to be charming. Even though our speech sounds plain, people love the way we speak.
Illinois is right in tornado alley, so we hear these alarms so often that they don't faze us. Most of the time, they go off in the middle of the day as a test.
If you’re a true Illinoisan, a right of passage is eating at this timeless old Illinois restaurant locals can’t get enough of.
What other traits prove you grew up in Illinois? Share your thoughts with us!
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