Illinois
Illinois is a state in the United States of America, and the container for the city of Chicago. Outside of Chicago, it's just farmland. It's the land of Lincoln. Trains are the state's erythrocytes, radiating out of Chicago and into the great beyond.
"Heh! From now on, Africa will seem like... Illinois!" - Eckels.
Illinois is bordered by Wisconsin to the north, Lake Michigan to the northeast, Indiana to the east, Okin Tucky to the southeast, Missouri to the southwest, Iowa to the northwest, and the vast expanse of space going upward.
Notable communities and places
Aurora
It is, in fact, the second-largest city in the state. Not something I'd expect to know.
Cairo
Pronounced "kay-ro", unlike the Egyptian capital.
Carbondale
SIU land. Amtrak named a train to Chicago after its mascot, a Saluki dog. Was in the path of totality for both the 2017 and 2024 eclipses.
Casey
It has a bunch of big things; I went there once.
Champaign
UIUC land. Spelt differently from "champagne" as in the drink. Amtrak named a train to Chicago after... well, uh, I don't like cultural appropriation. So until recently their mascot was an Inoka man, coming from an Algonquian confederation of 12-13 bands that happened to be the state's namesake. Even if the mascot was dropped, I say we change the nickname altogether because of the systemic racism associated with it. How about the Greyhounds? They're fast like a Saluki.
Urbana
Chicago
B E A N
DeKalb
So I'm looking at a hypothetical map of Midwest regional rail, and while there is already a very busy commuter rail line to Aurora, they seem to have extended it to DeKalb, though the latter is, in fact, not on the same line.
Dolton
Over 100 trains roll through the junction where the Union Pacific line crosses over the CSX and IHB tracks.
Downers Grove
If you want to watch the twice daily parade of commuter trains zipping through the Chicago suburbs, then this place is for you!
East St. Louis
Like Regular St. Louis, but for military wives and stoners.
Evanston
It exists. Also, why is it called Northwestern when it's in the northeastern parts of the state?
Galesburg
More trains! Come to Peck Park if you're interested.
Grundy County
Used to lie on the equator when Earth was Pangaean. It had Tullimonstrum, whose secrets were discovered through coal mining.
Hinsdale
Another great place to watch commuter trains.
Joliet
A very busy junction where the former CRI&P line crosses over the joint former AT&SF-C&A-MC line.
Kankakee
Good morning America, how are you? The southbound City of New Orleans pulls out here, having departed Chicago and stopped at Homewood. All aboard!
Kaskasia
The capital of Illinois for a brief period in 1818. It is very small, and only accessible from Missouri.
Metropolis
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... the Super Museum?
Naperville
Yet another great place to watch commuter trains.
Bloomington
Peoria
Located roughly 33 miles north of the word "Illinois", the Illinois River flows through Peoria on its way to the Great Lakes.
Rochelle
Two busy railway lines cross each other there. This attracts plenty of train enthusiasts.
Rockford
For the first time since 1981, Rockford will finally get passenger rail!
Springfield
The capital. Not in the Simpsons. Even if there is a "Shelbyville" not too far away.
Union
It has an incredibly large railway museum! Do you like trains, especially older ones? Go here then, I guess.
Trivia
- If you turn Illinois upside down, it will look like an incredibly deformed Michigan. This will also upset the residents of Illinois, so don't do it.
- Illinois is the 25th largest state by land area.