Being from Illinois is pretty awesome. But there’s something special about being from a small town in Illinois. What makes those folks special? We look at 12 reasons why small town Illinoisians are so great.

1. They're content.
Maggie/Flickr
Hey, not much has changed in a lot of small towns. And we're fine with that, because we like the people who are in our towns and our stores.
2. They have an affinity for wildlife.
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You'll catch them cracking a smile if they see a deer frolicking about.
3. They have strong family ties.
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Odds are, many generations of your family have lived in town. Which is great, because that means someone always has your back!
4. They are nuts about their community.
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Everyone has to be responsible for the community to thrive. You will find people eager to lend a hand if someone is in a bad way.
5. They appreciate things other people don't appreciate.
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Driving down a country road brings them peace.
6. They are stewards.
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They understand the beauty and value of what we are blessed with Illinois and do what they can to preserve it for future generations.

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7. They make awesome friends.
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There are no fairweather friends here. Good people are hard to come by, and you know that.
8. They're principled.
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Religious or not, they have strong beliefs and they will stand by them.
9. They are fun to hang out with.
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You can meet up in a place like this, with all your friends, and have a great time.
10. They're loyal.
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They won't talk to you for a week and drop you. They're in it for the long-haul.
11. They know the value of hard work.
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
Many work on farms or had parents who worked on farms. They know that you have to work to provide for your family.
12. They're laid back.
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At the end of the day, the little stuff doesn't matter. You just have to let it go.

Are you a small town Illinois guy or gal? What makes you awesome? Let us know in the comments.

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