Hello folks, on August 16th I shall join your ranks as a resident of IL

[JVS]

I have a few questions about your ways and customs.

What are you guys called? Here in PA we are Pennsylvanians and I know that the people of Indiana are called Hoosiers, are you Illinoisians, Illinoisers, or Illini? Please clarify?

Where can I find a portrait of Abraham Lincoln that would be suitable for framing and hanging on my wall? It seems to be the custom to honor him in your fine state, and I would not want to fail to give him his proper dues.

What are the rules for inspection/emissions on automobiles in Illinois? My car is 15 years old and I'd be delighted to find out that the laws are lax in Illinois, as they are fairly strict here.

Will I be able to vote in November in Illinois or should I just vote absentee for Pennsylvania?

Any other tips? I'll be in Urbana, so if you know any good stuff in that area I'm all ears.

[pearl]

1. Welcome to Illinois

I'm in Chicago, Urbana heh
I've only been here since 1986. A native Texan. Thank
Gawd I got out of there. Anyway I think it's Illinoisans
but haven't heard that used much. The only other state
as or more corrupt politically is TX. very interesting
politics.

I haven't owned a car for awhile as public tran for the city
is far more practical and cost wise. Insurance rates vary.
I think the emissions laws are pretty strict as well.

If you're here and have an address, you should have no problem
resitering and voting. I think you have about a 1 mo. period before
elections.

Send me a private email and I'll send you my email address.

:smoke:

[lovedems]

2. Greetings from Springfield (about 90 minutes from Urbana)

and welcome to Illinois!

The emissions laws are lax in this state, or I should say they must be because I haven't really heard of any.

You will like Urbana. Champaign/Urbana is a college (University of Illinois. Go Illini!) town so you will find all kinds of interesting/fun stuff to do in the town.

There isn't a need to hang a picture of Honest Abe on your wall. Yes we recognize him (especially in Springfield) but to those lengths! :)

I think you will enjoy our state!

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. Emissions laws in Chicago are extremely strict.

On edit:

Here is the Illinois auto emissions testing information.

http://www.epa.state.il.us/air/vim/

It's Illinoisans.

I've never had a framed portrait of Lincoln and don't know anyone who does.

Welcome to Illinois.

[chicagojoe]

4. Welcome to Illinois !!!

Champaign-Urbana is a cool college town.
I went to school there for a while.
Lincoln is on every 5$ bill, so no need for a portrait !!!
As a Southern Illinoisan, you'll also have the right to be a CUB fan,
a Cards fan, OR BOTH !!! How cool is that ?!?!

Register to vote at least 30 days before elections.
Barak Obama for Senate !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[davsand]

5. Cool! Another Champaign County DUer!!

Welcome to you!!! I've been here in Champaign County all my life--and I'm delighted to see another DUer coming to town! Let the Chicago guys give you all the crap they want to--we don't like them much anyway. ;)

Downstate, you car will be fine--we don't require any inspections on cars. IF you plan to register to vote here, I do want to chat with you about it--our County Clerk is a real dickhead to anybody who is associated with the university. They HATE students--especially in an election year--because they typically tend to vote Dem. As a result, he'll do all he can to frustrate you in the pursuit of voting.

Dem social hour is the last Friday of the month it involves a lot of drinking and food. We do have a Green party here, as well, and if you tend to be Green, you are gonna love Urbana. We have a lot of crossover between the two parties anyway, since our local Dem party tends to be fairly progressive.

If you are interested in getting into the party I'll be delighted to take you to a few of the happy hours to get your foot in the door. I've heard other new people complain that it is difficult to gain acceptance, and I think I can probably help you with that, as well.

Actually, let me know what I can do to help you with anything...


Laura

[mopinko]

6. hello from chicago

if you are coming this way, give a holler. the chicago duers are always happy for an excuse to party.
illini are alums of the u of i, the rest of us are just illinoisans.
i have a very old car, and i will let you know if she passes her emmission test again. i just got the pink reminder for her test today. she has passed before, tho. my other vehicle is a well worn chevy truck and she usually passes, also, although she has needed a tweak.
dunno about abe, i mostly just keep those small portraits of the wallet type.

[scarlet_owl]

7. Hey! I live in Urbana.

We have some lovely parks, and a super Nature Center where I am a volunteer. The libraries are nice and there are some good places to eat, like the Courier Cafe. If you are going to be a student, I'm sure there is tons of stuff to do around Campus. Lots of bars, too, but I don't know much about that kind of thing, as it is not what I'm into. If you have any specific questions, let me know.

[madrchsod]

8. welcome to Illinois

you`ll love the politics-Chicago versus downstate and when the next politician will be indited...you`ll be a "flatlander"...there`s many more discoveries to be made when you move to the wonderful state of Illinois...

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

9. Welcome to Flatlandia

Flatlander is what we're called by cheeseheads, our natural enemies to the north. (Just kidding. It's a friendly rivalry...unless you're caught speeding in Wisconsin with Illinois plates.)

The Magistrate, who is a great admirer of Lincoln, says that back then Illinoisans were known as suckers. Supposedly it was a reference to the effect prairie mud had on wagon wheels and horses' hooves, but he adds that the term has carried its current meaning for a long time.

If you shop the flea markets, maybe you can find one of those old wall decorations from the 60s with Lincoln's portrait on one side and Kennedy's on the the other, surrounded by a brass filigree frame with a little bracket in front for holding dusty plastic roses. If you're gonna have a framed pic of Lincoln, that's the way to go.

Welcome!

[JVS]

10. Well, I'm here

So far so good!

[Norquist Nemesis]

11. Welcome to Illinois!

I love C/U. I was born in Urbana at Carle (too many years ago to mention ;) ). I more or less grew up in Charleston which is about 45 mins southeast--home of EIU. Very fond memories of C/U that began the day I got my drivers license :evilgrin:

We've been living in Chicagoland since '95. We never had to get emissions checked until we moved up here. But where ever you go, be sure and wear your seatbelt 'cause it's the law. Also, turn your headlights on when ever it rains and you turn on your windshield wipers--'cause it's the law. And don't coast in the left lane--'cause it's the NEW law.

You can go ahead and get registered to vote. Here's a link to the form you can printout and fill in: http://www.elections.state.il.us/elecinfo/pages/downloads/pdf/R-19.pdf As long as you will have lived in your voting precinct for at least 30 days by the Nov election, you're good to go!

BTW, though we don't have the beauty of the mountains, there's still some beautiful sites and landscape. Tromping through nearby small towns can be a lot of fun. Just about 20 mins to the south of you is Arcola--Amish abound so you can feel right at home. :) But you can make a pit stop on the way in Tuscola and visit the outlet mall. LOL

We're not really ones to strike up a conversation, but you'll find us very friendly and easy to talk with when approached. So, have fun and enjoy your new home!!! Welcome!!!

[davsand]

12. Woo Hoo! Glad you made it!!!!

Glad you made the move successfully! It is always nice to see our ranks growing here downstate!

Now, to get to your "dance card" or social events (other than school--which I'm sure you came for)...

No major political events this week. However, Do plan on doing the Labor Day parade if you are gonna be in town. There will be a large Dem contingent there, and if you want to march with us let me know--I'll be delighted to get you the details on where we are forming up. Kerry has an active group here locally, so do Barak Obama and Dr. David Gill (Congressional race.) Our local candidates are also well represented so it should be a big old group of politically active folks.

If you are interested, feel free to tag along with us and do the labor picnic after the parade with my family. The menu is hot dogs, Brauts, chips and other fine cuisine--provided by local labor. Hubby is the AFL-CIO Pres this year, so I'm betting it won't be too much of a problem to get you a couple of free beer tickets (if you are over 21 and so inclined.) They usually have a voter registration drive going at this thing--so if you haven't registered by then we will make it happen for you!

Hope to see you--but more important--GLAD YOU ARE HERE!!!!!!


Laura

[Bjornsdotter]

13. Hi and Welcome!

Hi,

Welcome to the great state of Illinois!

As to what we are called, since I live near the Wisconsin border...we are often referred to as FIPs....although you will only hear that if you have really ticked off our neighbors to the north.

So take a drive, come on up to the Chain and we'll have a beer & brat, or if you come during the fall we can hit the Fri nite fish fry or fish boil!

Cheers,
Kim :toast:

Dare I mention...we also have a lot of Packer Backers up here.

[Kamikaze]

14. We are also affectionately referred to as FIBs.

Fucking Illinois Bastards.

But really, I can't hate our neighbors to the north. After all, they've got Russ Feingold! Also, drive up I-94 and have a laugh as you pass the Bong Recreation Area, a favorite of my brother's stoner friends.

[Bjornsdotter]

15. Very true!

...yep....Us FIP's and FIB's have to stick together! LOL....

For those in the northern climes of Illinois this weekend is the Kenosha county fair in Wilmot.

Cheers,
Kim :toast:

[jakefrep]

16. One Question...

...you're not Alan Keyes, are you?

[JVS]

17. No

:-)