Growing up in Illinois means you learned early how to talk about weather that makes no sense, distances measured in hours, and whether someone is from Chicago or from Illinois. These phrases come out naturally—especially during winter, road trips, or any conversation involving the city. If these sound familiar, there’s no doubt about it… Illinois raised you.
“It’s the Windy City, not because of wind.”
Said confidently… usually right before complaining about the actual wind anyway.
“That’s basically Chicago.”
Used to describe suburbs that are technically not Chicago but might as well be.
“Downstate.”
A single word that somehow explains half the state.
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