Unboxing Illinois: What It's Like Living In Illinois

[@NickJohnson]

Here is my entire Unboxing Series: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yqgM1vGG305six5T7dqGURF

[@CrookedRosePOD]

This video aged very well, chicago bears are gone now in Arlington heights smh The Raq

[@Krombop.M]

you cant drive a buggy, you travel in them.

[@SoupyPoopy21]

Idk why I'm watching this, I already live here

[@NickJohnson]

so get to know your state even MORE!

[@misscuty1]

same xD

[@exoticcats6119]

I haven’t even seen most of the state I live in, which is this one

[@mariebernier3076]

@@exoticcats6119 you really owe it to yourself to go see the amazing forests in Southern Illinois, Shawnee National. Nice cabins or hotels, warm Fall weather,wildlife, so much and cheap.Ferne Clyffe is my childhood woods.

[@exoticcats6119]

Marie Bernier I’ll do that one day

[@HardcoreSumo780]

Yeah I’ve lived in Illinois all my life, also been looking to move out of the state all my life.

[@shanegrey431]

HardcoreSumo690 I wish I could like this comment a million times. Lol I mean back recently I’ve been enjoying it more

[@sebassgaming2168]

Can't agree with you more

[@mikehowell2779]

Then go

[@stever4454]

Same!

[@zKaRiisMa]

I've lived in Illinois all my life & can't agree more

[@loxxxe2840]

The S in Illinois is silent

[@NickJohnson]

duh

[@mombiethezombie7536]

The amount of people that live here that DON’T know this is ridiculous.

[@PrivateIdaho24-7-52]

Webster's Dictionary says otherwise.

[@AgitatedTaco]

@@NickJohnson what do you mean by Aurora is just Aurora?

[@floydjones6373]

Stands for sucks

[@theragingbob3910]

So, how do you miss the fact that southern illinois is home to an entire national forest with some of the best hiking spots and views you can get? It's an entirely different landscape down here once you reach the hills.

[@bleujean357]

Fellow southern Illinoisan here. Southern Illinois is very different from the rest of the state.

[@eldestgrahambo1126]

Southern Illinois is swampy flatlands and looks like Mars with houses.

[@johnnycreighton29]

You tell him, Raging Bob! And forgive him, for he knoweth not well that of which he speaketh.

[@johnnycreighton29]

@@eldestgrahambo1126 I almost gave you a thumb up, then remembered how beautiful Southern Illinois appears when the green grows back in the spring. But I give you an B+ for snark. Keep working 😸

[@eldestgrahambo1126]

@@johnnycreighton29 Well I forgot to mention the largest concentration of unattractive women I've seen to date and really boring bland food. Did I get an A?

[@nicksquatch7212]

You didn't mention Starved Rock or Shawnee!!!

[@radicalgreek99]

Both of these places are awesome.

[@katiefagan5079]

Starved rock is a awesome piece of land except the history

[@mariebernier3076]

Grew up IN Shawnee!!! Still have never seen anything like it! Think about it a lot.

[@joejonas3684]

Starved Rock is awesome!

[@doritosbag1054]

Starved Rock is awesome, it has numerous great trails and at the end u can get ice cream at the hotel area and it’s fantastic

[@jasonkellar9897]

The Governor's seem to do a lot of prison time.

[@gadi6489]

Trump is about to pardon the most corrupt one. The current governor us good and legalized marijuana in the state

[@mr.squidward6947]

Yea ik right 😂 its either 3/7 past governors or 4/7 of the past have went to prison and so should the current one

[@gadi6489]

@Nice Guy Eddie blagolevich

[@Jeddi-kk8qq]

@@gadi6489 don't forget madigan.

[@nicksquatch7212]

@Kingy B JB Pritzker

[@ericarmenta4186]

Okay he is right about Schaumburg, literally all pill poppin mommas who drive a bunch of Lexus’s

[@sarahtreeleaf]

True dat

[@poda7273]

I see that as more like Glencoe or winnetka

[@dhruv7862]

Schaumburg is nice asl

[@solomonlokshin1597]

I just went BIG MISTAKE I Will never go back it sucked

[@speedymolasses3062]

Dhruv which is exactly why all the moms drive lexus’s and pop klonopin

[@dukeskyhopper]

Illinois: The only state in which all of it's citizen dream of leaving, but few ever do.

[@mikecarranza5385]

@Stellar' likes Walmart Florida will sink before 2100

[@korriworden4001]

So true

[@opsedopsers9874]

Because we have family that can't leave because money

[@Nebulasecura]

@@mikecarranza5385 luckily most of us will be dead by then so that’s the future generation’s problem.

[@unnecessaryapostrophe4047]

Oh, plenty of people are leaving Illinois.

[@blakemette6911]

Dont forget all the dam road construction.

[@davidfrazier6536]

Every street I drive down now has construction

[@youngillinoisan4270]

There’s a bridge near our farm that’s been under construction for two years,

[@davidfrazier6536]

bulldogce is the bridge called the millington bridge

[@lovelysparkle7931]

Omg it's not just my town!

[@classichank60]

There's only 2 seasons in Chicago: Winter and construction.

[@martinelliotedwards1883]

The cost of living is god damn unbelievable.

[@alainastevens9999]

Ikr

[@Aarontank24]

In New York and New Jersey it’s worst and Florida and California it’s ridiculous

[@DarkArmedDaddy1]

Cause everyone wants to live in the popular states

[@paulblackmore1630]

I agree as a southern il born and raised person other then some rediculas laws the only thing that makes south il undisirable to live is the sheer amount of money you spend just earning and living hear. I'm in south east missouri now working for the same rate of pay I almost always have and I save and earn so much more easily now all that changed was my location.

[@andreww1212]

I thought it would be really cheap compared to New York and New Jersey.

[@alexlindquist2986]

Living in Chicagoland most of my life, I died of laughter when you used a dumpster fire icon for Rockford.

[@PAULY-P]

Rockford is definitely getting worse. Plus the roads are one of the worst ive seen.

[@colbycondon2187]

Lol I live in Rockford

[@joecooper3535]

Lol same here, I live in the NW burbs along the 90 corridor and Rockford is pretty rough. Although they do have Beef A Roo out there which I usually stop at when heading to Wisconsin lol

[@radicalgreek99]

Every single city looks like Mexico and central America now.

[@anitaknight3915]

@@PAULY-P Yesssss potholes fricking everywhere it's ridiculous. Now DeKalb and Aurora are real bad too with all the gangbangers and thugs bringing crime from Chicago

[@katelynnclinton6226]

Lol, He wasn’t wrong when he called Rockford a dump.

[@NickJohnson]

Love ya Katelynn ❤️

[@leahcimthgirw3163]

I live in Rockford and it is a dirty freaking town

[@youngillinoisan4270]

I mean, like, well yea but there is about a block that’s pretty nice.

[@1224w]

He was being generous by saying it's a dump... Rockford is a shithole

[@TheBeastofTrinity]

Rockford is a horrible city. I grew up and live there unfortunately. I want to get away though.

[@johnwise9440]

You should’ve just made a separate video about Chicago

[@NickJohnson]

Probably

[@gmitchell91]

You're right about most of Central and Southern Illinois, but far Southern Illinois is actually VERY different than the rest of the state. It's anything but flat. It's a very hilly and full of towering bluffs and natural wonders. It's beautiful! Makes a beautiful background for our ever expanding network of Southern Illinois wineries and microbreweries!

[@NickJohnson]

Grant I missed the southern charm of Illinois you're right:)

[@gmitchell91]

Camo Girl Rebel absolutely! I'm from Johnston City.

[@michiganwannarbor3255]

That’s where I’ve looking at moving to. What are some recommendations? I live in North Dakota so ruralness won’t be a problem.

[@timothyzakaria7397]

​@@NickJohnson Lincoln Park is nice the Pizza is a whole lot better than NY. I'm talking about Chicago. The crime rate is terrible though and I did go broke there

[@timothyzakaria7397]

​@@NickJohnson Illinois is the birth place of Mike Myers lol 😂 that's the 80s

[@ml_daryl]

Just moved out of illinois to the oven state of Arizona. I dont miss it, I just miss my buds

[@ethanboone226]

Yo im about to move from central IL to arizona also, small world

[@PrinzII]

Moved to AZ from IL and don't regret it. Just make sure you get glass coverage.

[@mrs.morris5506]

....and the food, lol!

[@Pbirv]

I moved to Scottsdale from Peoria 4 years ago. I’m loving it, other than the bars not staying open past 2am.

[@gregturner2363]

You did not mention on of the best parts of Illinois - the Urbana-Champaign area of Illinois and home to the University of Illinois !!!!

[@NickJohnson]

I know I should have mentioned Champaign more I wish KZbin had an edit button!

[@rustyshackleford2365]

Let's be honest it's called the University of Asia

[@davidjones6894]

@@rustyshackleford2365 true, ik I live in Champaign

[@henryfruhling6783]

The U OF I CAMPUS SUCKS,AND THE CHILDREN THAT GOES TO THE U OF I ARE THE WORST,THE ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS GAVE THESE BRATS THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN OUR ELECTIONS IN 1988, IT FLIPPED ILLINOIS INTO THE DEMON O 🐀'S CONTROL, AND BECAUSE OF THESE BRATS ARE STATE IS TOTALLY SCREWED UP AND BACKWARDS.

[@anitaknight3915]

@@rustyshackleford2365 lol very true either Asian students or those from rich families

[@ThisIs.Not.TheWay]

I want to start off by saying. As a resident of Danville, IL i thank you for saying that things are looking up for us. We're doing the best we can to turn our city around... Also its nice to hear someone thats not from IL talking accurately about the state. Thank you

[@NickJohnson]

ive spent a fair amount of time in d vegas matt

[@ThisIs.Not.TheWay]

@@NickJohnson i dont know if your saying thats a good thing or a bad thing lol

[@patrickcassidy8543]

@@NickJohnson What do you mean d vegas Nick? Is there a connection with Las Vegas?

[@Camerenreynolds]

Really, I’ve heard that Danville is a complete craphole, hopefully they are turning things around.

[@danzemacabre8899]

Some of the top meth chefs in the world reside in Illinois, along with our famous horseshoes.

[@schnuts1962]

It's an honor to live among them

[@mombiethezombie7536]

You must be from Springfield. 😂😂😂

[@danzemacabre8899]

@@mombiethezombie7536 🤘 it's all in the cheese sauce, for the shoes, not the meth🤘

[@drunkenblacklocustbushcraf2857]

How dare you bring our horseshoes into this.

[@lovelysparkle7931]

Beloved Horsehoes💖💖

[@alexwatzke5932]

I live in Illinois. Thank you Nick for not just completely trashing Chicago as so many people do. The corruption is horrible and crime is bad, but crime is bad in just about every big city. I’m glad you think it’s a great city. One of the best (of not the best) sports cities in the country! Most of the state of pretty quiet and peaceful. I don’t hate it living here if I’m being completely honest. I live in a really great town and good community.

[@elmalanmalan2175]

Which Town s do you recommend to live in Chicago?

[@Camerenreynolds]

@@elmalanmalan2175suburbs such as Arlington heights, Naperville, Geneva, and Wheaton are my favorites. Depends on what you are looking for. There’s ones closer to the city if you like that’s or further away if you want cheaper houses with bigger yards.

[@Remember_when]

I live in the Fox Valley. The towns there are Naperville, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Sugar Grove, Aurora and North Aurora. Surrounding towns like Lisle, are great places too. This is a fairly well to do area and Naperville and Aurora rank high on safest large towns in America to live. Illinois actually has lower crime, per capita, than most red states.

[@spid3rmike117]

How could you not mention Shawnee Nat'l forest?? I drove all the way from Baton Rouge, LA just to go camping and hiking there. What an amazing trip

[@Thkgcv3]

Country living Hampshire Illinois supports President Trump and our Veterans. We hunt and fish and farm.

[@fuzzchick3549]

I understand that Chicago is a huge city that has lots of stuff to do, but southern Illinois has just as much fun stuff to do that you skipped over! Collinsville - Cahokia Mounds State historic site (thought to be the most sophisticated pre-Columbian civilization north of Mexico) Alton - Fast Eddies Bon Air (best dive bar around and the best place to party for your 21st birthday) Carbondale - Giant City State park which is absolutely beautiful! Carlyle - home to Illinois largest man made lake which is surrounded by beautiful campgrounds. Edwardsville - historic Wildey Theater (Opened in 1909 as an opera house and a second floor meeting hall for the Independent Order of Oddfellows)

[@fuzzchick3549]

Sounds like he’s never even been to southern Illinois.

[@randomnotes4258]

Ikr I could drive to carlyle and I love the lake

[@randomnotes4258]

Well ig I couldn’t drive but I live close to it.

[@sharonfauber2118]

I know about Illinois. I have lived here all my life💜🤗

[@unorthodox-2047]

Same

[@norrvox]

Sharon Fauber same

[@blukatzen]

just about the Same, with a brief stint in Arizona and Florida.

[@schnuts1962]

And ur happy to live here??? 🤔

[@sharonfauber2118]

Schnuts it's ok. My hubby is a farmer so I am here to stay. . I love the spring 🌸

[@acooper306]

I lived and travelled all over the world for work, and can say from actual experience, that Chicago is one of the greatest cities.

[@africkinamerican]

Used to be...

[@hueso5071]

@@africkinamerican it still is. Chicago’s economy is booming and downtown Chicago is the fastest growing of any other downtown in the country. Numerous jobs/opportunities and it’s skyline is one of the most iconic in the world.

[@africkinamerican]

@@hueso5071 do you actually live there now? Because lots of people have moved now, and are looking to move out. The Chicago I knew was one where you didn't have to worry about getting carjack or shot in the Loop or in Lake View. And I don't know where the claims of a booming economy come from, since much of it has been shut down for nearly two years.... maybe some big corporations on government subsidies, or benefiting from smaller competition being shut down

[@hueso5071]

@@africkinamerican yup. You can do a little research lol. Chicago was a lot worse 30-40 years ago. It’s more developed now, most people aren’t leaving Chicago. That’s mainly on the south side. Most people leaving the state all together are from central and southern Illinois. Not Chicago.

[@thomasburton2093]

I lived in Central Illinois majority of my life but now I live in Chicago. They really are like 2 different states. The medical care is much better in Chicago then Springfield. Central Illinois isn't backwards. It just not meant for growth. They don't have what is needed for growth to occur.

[@NA-ck6cz]

I've lived in the city and on a farm in Illinois, I love both. Don't mind the haters

[@Thkgcv3]

Country living Hampshire Illinois supports President Trump and our Veterans. We hunt and fish and farm.

[@Gmaa-bf3xg]

I love Chicago . Definitely has a lot of perks for young people. High rent, taxes and crime is probably the worst part of Chicago/ close suburbs area. I have been to the other IL as well. Their crime is bad too, a lot of drugs and broke families down there. Just in smaller scale

[@MatrixRoland]

At least Illinois knows how to deal with snow. Colorado could learn a thing or two from them.

[@amollo01]

A lot of Chicago people root for the White Sox too...

[@PAULY-P]

And alot of WI people root for the cubs. Go figure.

[@Anthony-fi9ml]

Not really. They couldn’t sell out a game if it was free.

[@kingdoughnut7244]

Tons of White Sox hats here in Michigan! I own one.

[@easysimmons6921]

That's what i just said

[@julietteflores3033]

South side!

[@kimmie9038]

😂😂😂😂 I've lived here all my life, this cracks me up. You forgot to mention Garden of the God's and Shawnee national forest by Metropolis in the Kentucky region. I'll let you know how my trip there next weekend goes. 😂 Hopefully Superman will stop the casino from taking my money. 😂

[@kimmie9038]

@Stephen Williams we got a comp room at Harrah's, a little get away.

[@sheldonbbtrocks]

How can you talk about bad places to live in Illinois and not mention Cairo?

[@mistispear9766]

Try Hamilton county in general. The whole county has 2 stores. Lived here my whole life

[@braydenbainbridge3024]

Misti Spear Hardin county is worse. 96% meth heads😂

[@mistispear9766]

@@braydenbainbridge3024 my uncle is hillbilly spear my dad is spiderman. Both of my parents ate from hardin...

[@happydays2741]

Flora Illinois is nice. A lot hillbilly but still nice. Very cheap and we wont put up with the violence and bullshit. We are armed!

[@nelsonmcatee3721]

Or Mt. Vernon. We're a worse town than Centralia. We're as corrupt as Chicago too.

[@ryankoehler3170]

I'm in the suburbs of chicago. I'm about 20 minutes south. Chicago and cook county ruins this state.

[@SuV33358]

Same with NY. I live in Rochester NY, but NYC gets all the attention..... it's like a different state.

[@stonecold7919]

What no one is saying is that Illinois is one of the five highest taxed states in the country.

[@stevenjohnson4207]

Yup 2nd only to New Jersey

[@jcoghill2]

My memories of Illinois are all good and positive. A great place to raise a family and grow up as a kid. I would love to go back to that but I couldn't stand to see how much it has changed so I never will. It matters more where you are born than it does where you die.

[@Bad_Batch_65]

Great video. Illinois born and bred. This video is on point and so true. I’ve lived north of I80 and south of I64. Shawnee Forrest should have been mentioned... the legacy of al Capone truly lives on here in Illinois

[@nelsonmcatee3721]

We had our own Al Capone down here. Charlie Birger, the last person to get hanged in Illinois. My grandpa met him.

[@Bad_Batch_65]

@@nelsonmcatee3721 and the Sheltons from Wayne county

[@montanaskies2702]

Except Lincoln wasn’t from Illinois, he was from a small town in Kentucky. Moved to Illinois when he was a kid. Do people actually not look for facts?

[@MrJesus-ck6xt]

As much as I love my state, I still have to leave as soon as possible.

[@ryanvelez6762]

Out of curiosity how come ? I’d it that bad ?

[@MrJesus-ck6xt]

@@ryanvelez6762, it's not the worst, there are just way better options.z

[@sb-tb1oh]

It's the politics

[@rahuliyer7456]

Downstate Illinois is what we call the area from Danville IL to St Louis. It is where you see the Amish area, farmland, and "The Silicon Prairie"...a cluster of research areas around Urbana and Champaign where the University of Illinois is.

[@rohitvaidya9530]

You didn't even mention about the high quality of college education! UIUC, U Chicago and Northwestern are amongst the highest ranking Universities in the country, all of which are in Illinois

[@NickJohnson]

I did not

[@donnastones8235]

Oh lovey

[@thatgui88]

Everyone goes to uiuc

[@breakfastisgood]

Looking to leave Illinois too many drugs where I live and taxes make it almost impossible to live off of minimum wage

[@anthonymiglieri6181]

Christian Glisson lemme guess bolingbrook

[@philcoffi8876]

I actually lived in Carbondale for 6 years. I love it. Met my wife there. The people are very nice. And true southern Illinois doesn’t like Chicago

[@BeefyWalrus]

Conservative Illinoisians: let's blame Chicago for all of the corruption and taxes despite the fact that Chicago is only 1/4 of the state population and is responsible for paying most of the state taxes and 7/9 of the economic productivity.

[@aminamoore5660]

Only 1/4 of the state but yet Chicago still gets all the money from taxes and also trumps all the votes down south.... yeah thats what I call corruption. Go to Springfield and listen to the state politicians and the policies. No one from outside of Chicago can get anything done. Everything we have GOES to Chicago. Yes u ppl need to be ur own state.

[@ronschafer4533]

@@aminamoore5660💥 100% agree

[@stephenfletcher1579]

😂😂 Well Chicago runs the state too. The rest of us are living with taxation with out representation. Both US senators and the Governor care only about crook County. It's also odd that when there's a big lottery winner, it's most often the Windy City. Don't tell me that more people live in Chicago than the whole rest of the state. Along with that, the biggest number of winners are quick picks, so how come those tickets are distributed other locations? Like it's been said many times, Chicago not only earned it's corrupt reputation,it maintains it . Keep up the great job Prickster, businesses and people are leaving in droves, like pissants packing sugar. As long as Chicago is happy, that's all that matters.

[@julietteflores3033]

Chicago is beautiful. No matter where u go. South, west. They have beautiful people and kind people. Just be careful and don't get to comfortable. It's my home. I love Chicago.

[@NickJohnson]

I agree Chicago is a great place for sure!!

[@chuckd.7048]

I want whatever she's smoking!

[@vaishx]

Cousin It in what way?

[@vaishx]

Charles Dewey I want whatever YOU’RE smoking lol

[@BillKing3456]

From Illinois originally. Once took my cousins from Scotland on a road trip. I said to them, take a look at the name of this town coming up ... "Normal" and this one ... "Farmer City".

[@tarakissel2992]

Ha! I live in Normal!

[@vtoohigh4952]

Tara Kissel ive been there and its a pretty chill place

[@davidfrazier6536]

Should’ve took him to sandwich IL

[@jamsandwams1782]

Bloomington-Normal is one of the better spots in Illinois i feel like

[@BillKing3456]

@@davidfrazier6536 One time when we played them in high school, some kids made a banner and hung it from the water tower next to the football field that said, "Eat Sandwich."

[@gleefulsummer2611]

shout out to everyone who lives in bloomington- normal IL Also to those who move to Illinois, who hurt you?

[@NickJohnson]

Hahahahaha

[@caesaraugustusmaximus]

Great video! Don't forget about Champaign. Home of the Illini! Regards from a Chicagoan who dislikes Chicago's Leftist politics, but who loves the city...and the rest of Illinois...

[@reeses.puffs1251]

I live in a great town and ive lived here for 3 years and i have loved it here since day one

[@JimInTally]

I've been to Illinois many times on business and have had, for the most part a pleasant time. Illinois is a good state, especially in the Chicagoland area.

[@curtthompson4012]

I've lived in Illinois my whole life and throughout it all our politicians are corrupt we still have our former governor in jail still if we can't change something quick a lot of Illinois people are moving

[@NickJohnson]

Where to Curt?

[@chuckd.7048]

Top 10 in declining population, people LEAVING!

[@rob20ist]

If Illinois would ask for more tech company’s to come in it would help a lot. Especially video game studios.

[@stevenjohnson4207]

@@rob20ist Unfortunately not going to happen. Illinois is one of the least friendly states for business.

[@cam94keith96]

Where do IL politicians retire?Arizona penitentiary. I've always lived here, I've heard that joke since the 80's

[@eileenegger4892]

Without even trying,I can point out interesting places you left out. Cahokia Mounds,a pre-Columbian Native American site,Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois with beautiful rocky hills and forests,a part of which is called Garden of the Gods.Another interesting spot is Cave in the Rock,a large cave facing the Ohio River on the southeastern side of the state.Not too far from St.Louis are the Mammoth Caves. You dropped the ball on this one.

[@NickJohnson]

well i mentioned the cahokia mountains at least you missed that Eileen :)

[@ernestclements7398]

Mammoth Cave is near Russellville Kentucky a good hour South of Louisville, and a long way from Saint Louis!

[@Stickman0660]

Laughed so hard when you brought up centralia. Accurate. Worked there a lot. It's only getting worse too

[@nelsonmcatee3721]

Mousetown's worse. At least Centralia still has a basketball team to be proud of!

[@unnecessaryapostrophe4047]

Chicago doesn't get lake effect snow that often. The winds and big winter storms in the Great Lakes region come mostly from the northwest, so it's shorelines that are on the east sides of the lakes that get lake effect. Buffalo, Rochester, and Cleveland are the big lake effect cities.

[@KiKiCarr]

I’m still not sure how I feel about this video 🤔

[@NickJohnson]

Why?

[@professorprofessor1998]

Y KiKi Carr

[@dolecrash5802]

Can you open an album? I want to be able to listen to your amazing music more lol. I’m sure a lot of people share that wish.

[@NickJohnson]

Maybe I start a new channel for music only haha.

[@indigo1324]

11:35, okay, I know this probably a joke, but I live in Illinois, and this isn’t true. The earliest I’ve seen snow is late November, and the latest I’ve seen any snow at all was late April. However, that’s very rare. Generally, winter seems to start in late November, and end in late March.

[@tomokototo]

You live in Illinois but where do you live in Illinois

[@indigo1324]

@@tomokototo I forgot I wrote this comment, but I live in a suburb northwest of Chicago. (Also, since I wrote this comment, we did actually have snow on Halloween of 2019.)

[@YoudidgooodSlick]

I mean I I’m from like a city 45 minutes away and when people move to Illinois I ask them why Illinois

[@alainastevens9999]

BOOOO CUBS

[@steveeuphrates-river7342]

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago (near Schaumburg) and this whole presentation seems spot on.

[@mikematthews9564]

I LIVE IN DANVILLE ILL. MY PROPERTY TAXES ARE ONLY $800 A YEAR. YOU CAN BUY A DESCENT HOUSE HERE FOR 30K. THE PEOPLE SUK AND THERES NOTHING TO DO. BUT I LOVE MY HOUSE.

[@alexanderchenf1]

Thanks

[@carfulcracker4203]

Taylorville Illinois, home of the famous horse dragging and the greasy Bills Toasty restaurant

[@depressedanxiety2978]

Oh Danville is just getting worse I should know Walmart is like prison that is how garded it is

[@cantbearlosing9539]

I live in O'fallon Illinois which is about 30 minutes from St. Louis!

[@Dezzo0721]

Can't BEAR Losing I live in Belleville🤪

[@catherinelibby1671]

ShaunyA Debris me too

[@vtoohigh4952]

Can't BEAR Losing you go to oths?

[@cantbearlosing9539]

@@vtoohigh4952 Yes I'm a Sophomore

[@vtoohigh4952]

Can't BEAR Losing im a senior there!

[@brandonnewby178]

Summer when the ice cream store open... Or the tropical sno. 😀😀😀 Let'sleave Chicago alone and enjoy our peace and quiet.

[@NickJohnson]

Shh maybe they won't bother you if you're quiet!

[@kathyb2941]

If you're done hating on illinois, here are some facts you missed. Illinois is the only Midwestern state that believes women have a right to bodily autonomy and making their own healthcare decisions. Illinois has the first - and strictest - data privacy law in the nation. Illinois (Chicago) has the broadest, finest examples of architecture in the world. Also, the world's first skyscraper was built in Chicago. Illinois' official snack food is popcorn. Illinois also has some of the strictest building fire codes in the nation. I hope I don't have to tell you why. The Lincoln Park Zoo is the nation's oldest public zoo. The iconic Route 66, one of the first transcontinental highways in the country and which runs all the way to California, starts in Illinois. Illinois has the 2nd highest number of railroad miles after Texas. And you're welcome.

[@danielacharlton1]

Amazing and completely spot on!

[@NickJohnson]

I go to Illinois like every other month for one reason or other

[@danielacharlton1]

I grew up in the town next to Centralia, stayed in town south of Bloomington/Normal for a summer and have family in Northern part. I live in NC now. I miss the ground freezing and killing the bugs, but not the effects of politics via high taxes and regulations.

[@kylefast9650]

Almost expect saying to never going to the south side of Chicago, it’s actually pretty safe and nice if you don’t go to the crappy neighborhoods

[@chuckd.7048]

I drove through it quickly, to visit Arizona, didn't stop to pee!

[@jordanchamberlain4377]

East Peorian here. I actually started to get irritated when the topic was still about Chicago halfway through lol All in all, great video.

[@NickJohnson]

thanks jordan! i know i had to finally bail on chicago and get to the rest of the state. but to be fair, chicago has a lot of stuff to talk about.

[@jordanchamberlain4377]

Nick Johnson I mean.. you're not wrong. But with the majority of us lower folk getting sick of all the taxes going to Chicago, I am one in favor of annexing it 😉

[@benharaluri5104]

@@jordanchamberlain4377 is Peoria good???

[@Emilyb09]

Frankfort is the best part of Illinois. I live there and there might be some corn, but not a lot!

[@ethanpope9085]

Nice, I’ve lived in new Lenox all my life, not a bad town, Frankfort is pretty good to

[@collinsje5]

Illinois native here. Most of the state outside of Chicago and the burbs is miles and miles of corn and bean fields. Oh, and we get about 10 perfect weather days a year. The rest of the time it is too something - too cold, too snowy, too hot, too humid, too windy. Nick is right - visit Chicago in spring or fall - I'd pick May or October. Most of the touristy stuff is in the Loop and on the north side, and our public transportation is excellent. To the south, if you're here for an extended visit, you'll find the Museum of Science and Industry, Hyde Park, and Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox). Chicago is also a foodie town, and you'll find many options in addition to pizza and hot dogs with no ketchup.

[@NickJohnson]

You should make a video Jerald!

[@bert0522]

I'm 70 years old, was born in Murphysboro, Ill. just a few miles from Carbondale University SIU as we know it. Grew up in Cahokia, Ill. founded in 1696, moved a way to 3 other states and now back living in Belleville, Ill. till death do us part. Jim

[@rogerrice1772]

It doesn't matter how you try to propagate it Nick, the "s" in Illinois is ALWAYS silent. Great video btw. If you make another one, talk about how & why southern Illinois was once called "little Egypt" and the Shawnee national forest.

[@dave14256]

6:20 " You also have Aurora, which is, Aurora". Spot on decripstion of Aurora. One of the first cities to have electric street lights and provides a nice river veiw. It also has a strange amount of crime and gang activity for being between a rich mostly white city to the right and cornfields to the left. If your having trouble deciding if you want to visit or not, just flip a coin.

[@chronometa]

I'll stick to north Aurora!?

[@thatgui88]

Yeah Aurora used to have a Hispanic gang problem but it has cooled down. I remember my parents taking me to the East Aurora flea market ( rough spot ). Early 2000s

[@dave14256]

Yeah from what Ive seen from doing jobs out there recently compared to 6 years ago it does look better. And if you dont include the cop car that blew up during the george floyed riots really its starting to seem no worse than naperville so that aint bad

[@arunas95]

You didn't mention about movie "Home alone" and that famous house in chicago. I even have address of that house 😄😄 I love your video's allways waiting new video. Good luck 😉👍

[@NickJohnson]

OMG i know!! But i mentioned ferris buellers day off at least. I also missed adventures in babysitting! And aww...thanks for watching Arūnas :)

[@arunas95]

@@NickJohnson You're welcome :)

[@lindsaygraham5687]

In SW Illinois is the old French fortress Ft. de Chartres, founded in 1719. An obscure historical jem. Nearby is Prairie de Roucher, founded in 1720. Lots of French names around the state they first began to explore in 1673. On an island in the Des Plaines River is the museum Isle a la Cache. An excellent little museum about the French and Indian fur trade . The French first explored and colonized the region. The French named the place Illinois. The French pronunciation il-i- nwa.

[@jameskessler3466]

Hi Lindsay

[@michelecaron]

Nick you crack me up! I’m sure you hear about how adorable and smart you are too. Can’t figure out where to relocate. NJ is WAY to pricey. Keep the videos coming. 😘

[@NickJohnson]

What about Wisconsin or Michigan? I like those states Michele

[@michelecaron]

Red states we like red

[@aszul7750]

Southern IL is pretty different from the rest. A bit upset that you barely mentioned Shawnee Hills area, Little Egypt, the fishing and hunting, wineries.

[@Camerenreynolds]

Shawnee is nice, but the cities could go for a Rehaul. I’m gonna go visit sometime this fall, where are some goof wineries near Carbondale-Marion?

[@goneinc.7642]

Al Capone used to hang out in Beardstown. It used to be referred to as 'little Chicago. I referr to it as ' the taint of the midwest'.

[@jeremycrenshaw2417]

I'm from Illinois been here all my life and Chicago needs to become it's own state I pray for that day

[@btetschner]

A+ video! Great overview of the state and some of its general dynamics! Going to watch the second part in a bit...

[@lindsaygraham5687]

The area around the Chicago River used to have a vast amount of wild garlic growing there. The Potowatomi natives called the wild garlic she-KAK-way, and called this area "place of the wild garlic" in their Inekwe dialect of the Algonquin language. The earliest French explorers spelled the name of the place Eschekagou after the native's name. Soon the French spelled it Chekagou. There are a few stories about where the name comes from but this is all in the internet. It was Americans who started calling the South Branch of the Chicago River "the stinking river" because of all the slaughterhouse and industrial waste sewage garbage etc. being dumped there .

[@galaxaygirl2789]

I don't care what I say Illinois is my home and I love it

[@fmcevoy1]

Nick, your singing is improving, as I trust my standup is. When does the Mappy clan go on "Maury"?

[@NickJohnson]

Mappy on Maury OMG I wonder if he'd do a cameo and humor us and make the reveal???!?? Frank's a genius.

[@dancarlton7973]

Maury would say "Mappy...you are the father!"

[@NinaMalfoy1791]

Great vid! However there’s a whooooole lot of scandal when you visit lake county (Waukegan, Zion, etc)!

[@BrogodHuncho]

From Zion🤝

[@youngillinoisan4270]

Waukegan is just a total mess

[@stever4454]

Springfield, IL is also known for their Horseshoe dish! Horseshoe consists of bread, meat, fries cover in cheese!

[@NickJohnson]

I looked it up it looks baaaaad for you but probably a great hangover food!

[@timothykeith1367]

@@NickJohnson Pork tenderloin sandwiches are popular in downstate, almost unknown in Chicago

[@katts7349]

I live in the suburbs and which has the best #50 public schools in the world and i love it here.

[@NickJohnson]

chicago burbs?

[@euenfheiejrj]

People always forget how some of the best public schools in the nation are in Chicagoland.

[@justgeorge3728]

Love My Proud Union home! Illinois welcomes everyone. This is the make a memorable midwest life state.

[@noahcurry3615]

Ayyyye glad to see ptown getting some love on... crime dangit

[@jimgreen3966]

Nick Johnson, I beg to differ with your comment on the rest of the state (south of the 'just-like-Wisconsin' portion where I'm from), including especially the southern part of the state which is often called Little Egypt. It's so different, it shouldn't even be in Illinois, except for the scenery, we're glad it is. As many viewers already know, Chicago is home to the largest enclave of Polish immigrants in the country, and the 2nd. largest in the world, second only to the capital city of Poland--Warsaw. Rockford's a dump? Excuse me!? I live there. Okay, farther on into this video, you let some of our fellow cities in on the misery. Now I don't feel so alone. : ))

[@PAULY-P]

Rockford roads are one of the worst ive seen. Plus their crime as of 2 yrs ago was worse than Chicago. Do you know anything about Marion and Carbondale? Or just north of Paducah KY? That im curious about.

[@NickJohnson]

Jim I just tease I love everywhere and see the good in everything. No offense I hope.

[@jimgreen3966]

@@NickJohnson, okay, I'll accept your apology. But, in reality, I didn't realize it was a tease, nor did I about all the other places that are deemed awful here, and on your other videos. So, I assumed it was real, and pulled this list together with that in mind, for those who know nothing about my place of birth and residence: 1) Rockford’s Park District is a 3-time winner of the Gold Medal, which means it was voted the best in the country for a mid-sized city. It’s also Illinois’ 3rd. largest. We have 10 million + visitors per year. 2) Our airport, Chicago Rockford International Airport, is the home of the 2nd. largest UPS hub in the country, as well as #22 in the country for the amount of freight overall. It also has 1 of the very few aircraft maintenance and overhaul facilities in the country, and is #3 in the state, behind Chicago O'Hare and Midway. 3) The area is the #2 aerospace center in the country, behind Cleveland. 4) Anderson Japanese Gardens is #2 in the country behind Seattle. 5) The Discovery Center is the #4 children’s museum in the USA. 6) The Burpee Museum has the most complete juvenile T-Rex in the world--Jane. 7) The Rockford Symphony Orchestra is good enough that it could easily be welcomed into a city of 1 million. 8) We have 2 community youth theater groups-CYT and The Studio, which involve youth from elementary age to 21. 9) It's the home town of Wichita State/Toronto Raptors guard Fred Van Vleet, Cheap Trick, Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps, piano prodigy Emily Bear, and the Rockford Peaches--their story was told in "A League of Their Own", and for those old enough to remember her, silver medalist figure skater Janet Lynn of the 1972 Olympics in Sapporo, Japan. Lastly, just thrown in for fun, Rockford’s immigrant community is composed of people from at least 115 countries. Not bad for a dump.

[@zubairrazzaq6271]

If you move out of Chicago to one of the seven southern colonies cost of living is unbelievably low and it's not a bad school system any of these counties check it out

[@katel3962]

Thank you for calling it Cloudgate 👏👏👏👏👏

[@isaiasmembreno6605]

So many things left out about Illinois. The south side and west side have criminal activities but also have beautiful neighborhoods. We have a lot of good programs and of course there is corruption that needs to be fixed, but people in Illinois are very prideful of our amazing state! We all love sports, good music, driving fast, looking out for each other and most of all love good food!

[@robertgregory3399]

Finally something positive about our state haha

[@sharonfauber2118]

There is a lot of cardinal fans near Peoria

[@chrishenderson9130]

And they all suck

[@benharaluri5104]

Is Peoria good ??

[@20yearsago]

I moved to Illinois from California, so far I hate it but it’s cheaper to live in and there’s better job opportunities so I can’t really complain...

[@NickJohnson]

Valid points.

[@z0mb13v32]

I live in rural northern Illinois, and my biggest flex of all time is that I went to downtown Chicago and got a compliment on my outfit

[@NickJohnson]

Dang 🕴🏻

[@johnkennedy9327]

What beautiful film. I love it. I grew up in Kankakee. You have it right.

[@NickJohnson]

I have friends in Danville

[@katydallmann8549]

I love right on the border of Wisconsin and Illinois. I agree that a little top half of Illinois mines well be Wisconsin. Rockford is a dump x10

[@youngillinoisan4270]

Same, I’m in McHenry county 1.3 miles from the boarder, it’s awesome being able to just jump right over to get the cheap gas from Wisconsin.

[@ericaquint1895]

I live in McHenry County as well

[@katefarrington3283]

Me too. Amd spotted cow

[@wildchaser9892]

What’s the worst east city East Saint Louis East Chicago East Cleveland

[@danielfrancis3736]

East Cleveland

[@evanarmstrong3042]

East Camden, NJ...

[@NickJohnson]

East LA

[@ryanearles2024]

East Mansfield, OH (Part of the city of Mansfield,OH)

[@wildchaser9892]

Nick Johnson I thought you said East Saint Louis was the worst place on earth lol

[@FanaticSeven]

I live in Illinois and he did a pretty good job describing the state

[@NickJohnson]

I know ;)

[@bardthenascarfanaticdragon]

Been a resident since I was born in September 2002. I was born in Peoria, which isn't too far from my hometown of Tremont. Tremont is 6 miles east of Pekin on Route 9, and about an hour away from Springfield. Morton is around 20 miles from Bloomington. My dad works in Morton, which is about 5 minutes from Tremont.

[@ethanpope9085]

I love Morton, my grandparents live there and my father grew up there, great place

[@bardthenascarfanaticdragon]

@@ethanpope9085 My Grandparents on my Mother's side of the family live in Galesburg. My Grandparents on my Dad's side used to live in Richland, Washington until my Grandmother moved to Tremont after my Grandfather's death in June 2017.

[@M3rover]

Thank you for calling the Sears Tower by it's proper name.

[@mikeforbes8088]

Born in raised....now currently in Florida. What an upgrade 😆

[@talltvreporter3040]

long time since you left illinois, dont you miss the cheap water and the empty spaces and cheap food prices???

[@dmmforbes]

@talltvreporter3040 Not one bit.. I visit in the Winter for a week, enjoy a fireplace and I'm out. 👍

[@dominioncrowntv5197]

Illinois is one of those places that is amazing but horrible at the same time. I love to visit but I think I would lose it in those Midwest winters after a few years lmao!

[@chronometa]

It's not to bad. But in the direct city it can be inconvenient.

[@hueso5071]

It isn’t that horrible. Compared to hurricanes, earthquakes, tropical storms in other states. Illinois doesn’t have natural disasters.

[@brandon9621]

@@hueso5071 tornadoes

[@Camerenreynolds]

I feel like people can say that about any state ( I love it for ___, but then I hate it for ___ ) and IL is definitely no exception.

[@doublex_frmda2]

Sir a lot of the facts you stated about Chicago thinking the rest of the state is backwards is very wrong I’m from Decatur which is in central Illinois and it’s far from a small quiet town might not have many places to go but it’s far from quiet and my city and others aren’t considered towns they are city’s just like Chicago we might not have a million people and skyline like New York but that doesn’t mean every other city besides Chicago is a small hick town

[@NickJohnson]

I said central Illinois people are great and nice didn't I?

[@ToddTinley]

@@NickJohnson Negative.

[@jumboeggcartengioo1268]

True dat

[@toxicbee990]

Chicago doesn't get actual lake effect snow off lakes Michigan though... Western Michigan does..Chicago and Milwaukee are usually shielded