9 Undeniable Differences Between The Northern And Southern Parts Of Illinois
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published March 13, 2018
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
In a state this large, there are bound to be some differences in lifestyles, culture, and beliefs. Most dissimilarities are between Chicago and the rest of the state, and it has created a silent Northern vs Southern Illinois rivalry that we just can’t seem to get over. Below are nine true things that make each half of the state different yet still wonderful.
No matter which part of the state you hail from, you’ll be familiar with these characteristics of northern and southern Illinois. Check them out:
People from northern Illinois get their culture and politics from Chicago while those living in the south look towards St. Louis as their "big city." This aspect of the rivalry fuels many of the others.
Another obvious Northern vs Southern Illinois rivalry is between their politics. People in the Chicago area tend to vote democratic while the rest of the state is usually very red. Despite this, the entire state is often blue due to the amount of people who live in the northern counties.
As mentioned, there are way more people living in the northern part of the state than in the south. Residents enjoy a more urban feel up near Chicago while most of the southern (and central) portion of the state is very rural with nature preserves and farms.
Another major rivalry between north and south is in the way each perceives the other. Those in Southern Illinois look at those up north as corrupt individuals while the northern part of the state looks at those in the south as rednecks and hicks. It's true that both live in Illinois, but neither is specific to a certain demographic.
This is yet another stereotype that draws from perceptions. Those in the southern part of the state are more likely to drive pickup trucks and minivans while Northern Illinoisans are more known to buy SUVs and sports cars.
No matter what you've got on the road, there's definitely a difference in how many other vehicles you'll encounter depending on where you live. As there are more people up north, the traffic is a million times worse than what you find in the south.
This is one of those Northern vs Southern Illinois rivalries people get really serious about. It's like nails on a chalkboard to hear someone call it pop if you live in the south, and vice versa for those up north hearing it called soda.
There is a big difference in Illinois between the weather patterns in the northern and southern halves. The north is known as having a humid continental climate, which means they experience cold winters and hot summers. The south has a humid subtropical climate, which means winters are more mild.
No matter where you grew up in this fantastic state, though you’ll understand these 10 Illinois superstitions.
What other northern vs southern rivalries do you think are true? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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