Anyone else essentially boycott Illinois while traveling?

[shibumiseeker]

I never stop in Illinois unless it is to leave a deposit. I have not spent money in Illinois in over 20 years in spite of traveling through it several times a year.

 

[semperfi211]

I work in Crook County. I try not to spend any money on the Il. side in my commute. I am guilty of going to Cubs and Sox games every now and then. I wish Indiana had a MLB team.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

When I was at Ft. Riley I drove through Illinois quite a bit. I always got gas in MO. I have no idea what the name of the little town was, but there was two gas stations and a McD's that were right at the bottom of the ramp and it was super quick to stop and get back to traveling. I always used the same gas station until they hired a female clerk who had a mustache thicker than mine (seriously) and then I started using the other gas station. This was back when you walked in to pay for gas. Sometimes with an onion tied to your belt, which was the style at the time.

I have been to Chicago once because my wife (ex-wife now) wanted to go and after worming out of it for years I finally went. I did not enjoy it.

 

[AngryRooster]

I've been to Chitcago a few times when I was younger. Mostly to some of the museums and things like that. I wasn't impressed with anything outside of those. I've been to Champaign once to visit family when I was young as well. They couldn't lower themselves to visit Indiana and my father wanted to see them. I didn't really care for the trip or the way we were treated by family and the few places we stopped at. In my adult life I've never set foot in that state. I've traveled west a few times and made it a point to go south around the state first. I guess you could claim I have something personal against the state in addition to all the reasons they give us not to like them. I don't even knowingly buy products that are headquarted in the state. If I see it on the label then it goes back on the shelf.

 

[1DOWN4UP]

Thanks all. I am really pumped now.I have to take the kids to the ZOO friday.

 

[Leo]

I have a lot of Friends in Illinois. Many are members of the NRA and/or ISRA. The shame is that most of the State has pretty good people. The problem is that Chicago has so much political power, especially enough to demand what they want from Springfield. Every year the taxpayers of the State have to bail out the City of Chicago schools that spend money like lottery winners. When I was contracting, the Chicago School system had 1.6 administrators for every teacher. Even in the wildest business model, more formen than workers is a failure. And they still have the poorest schools in the country. Chicago has enough lobbyists in Springfield to mess that city up too. I feel sorry for the good, hard working, law abiding, pro gun residents that are oppressed by the Chicago socialists.

 

[JeremiahJohnson]

Try to never spend a dime in Chicago or Illinois.

Recently rode with my son to Milwaukee, visit the Harley Museum, enjoy the antique bike show. The difference crossing the Indiana OR Wisconsin state line is STARK. Illinois roads are almost all toll roads, in terrible condition, crowded, dirty...by contrast - headed north - soon as you cross the Wisconsin state line the roads are wider, clean, flowing, repaired, free.

 

[churchmouse]

I try very hard never to travel through Ill.

 

[funeralweb]

Great place to pee.

 

[foszoe]

I grew up in Cook county (Tinley Park), IL. I remember my parents' anger at tax time, and how difficult the county made it to sell our farm. I remember how many times we were robbed. Their citizens are largely disarmed (thankfully, this is slowly changing). The nice marina we used to spend weekends at has been mostly gobbled up by a casino (and, being a public marina, slip holders would often show up to find locals using their gas grills, furniture, and whatever else they could get their hands on). We all know where our current president came from and why Chicago is the most listened-to police scanner on the internet every night. Don't even get me started on the price of gas (and everything else) or the traffic up there...

I find it sad, all the beautiful downstate rural areas and farms. I'm sure those folks aren't any different than rural Indiana folks. But Cook county essentially runs the state. Sometimes I wonder how long it'll be before the same thing happens here, between Marion and Lake counties.

The only thing I can do is vote with my wallet (and feet). When cbhausen and I are traveling, we plan specifically not to stop or spend one dime in Illinois. It's always gas up and eat at the last exit, set the cruise two over the limit, and blow on through. If Indiana goes the same way, the feet come into play--as in moving to a place that better reflects my values and ideology.

Something to think about. I do--a lot.

I view it as pro indiana tambien. I will stretch a tank of gas to get back to indiana from any trip. When in Indiana, I will stretch a tank of gas to get to my home county. When in my home county, I will stretch a tank of gas to get to my hometown gas station. I do not stop in the state of IL for anything unessential. I like my tax dollars spent where I live. I give enough to that fledgling liberal bastion in the middle of the state when I want to entertain myself.

 

[spec4]

Born and raised in Crook county. Wife has a blind cousin in Chicago that we go in to help several times a year. Other than that we don't go there. Horrendous traffic, crowds, crime everywhere including the popular Michigan avenue area. Lot's worse than it was when I was a kid. The Crook county Dems, over the last 100 some years, have pretty much destroyed Illinois.

 

[HoughMade]

I greatly enjoy Chicago and go there often. My work takes me there (I used to spend considerable time visiting at the MCC). I enjoy the sights, the restaurants, the museums, etc. I see no reason not to go there. My son is looking at a college in the city as well. And while I am of rural roots and would never live in a large city, I'm not a provincial alarmist, so I don't mind visiting to enjoy what they have to offer.

 

[IN_Sheepdog]

The other personal grievance I didn't mention was Meigs Field... What that SOB Daley did there was deplorable, and shows just how unaccountable a corrupt and well-oiled political machine can be. Here's an article I just found... Not sure much if has changed in the two years since it's been published. I guess if taxes were a bit higher they could have done more with Northerly Island in the first ten years, though:

Ten years after Meigs Field raid, the makeover of Northerly Island is slow to take shape - tribunedigital-chicagotribune

Edit: at least cbhausen got to land and takeoff there once before it became a fond memory only to be experienced in flight simulators.

Ten years huh? Wow... not a lot ever came of that lawsuit did it... take the federal aviation tax benefits then come in in the middle of the night and screw it all up... I have Hated King Daley and his sort ever since for the brazen illegal act.. I LOVED Meigs field and flew in there dozens and dozens of times. It was like having your own little aircraft carrier to line up on...

One of the things that Most people don't know (unless they are involved in aviation...) is that the downtown area is LESS secure from a 9-11 type attack not MORE... When Meigs was in operation, it was a controlled area, and you contacted the Meigs tower (either at "Hotels" 10 miles south, or the Bahaii Temple 10 miles to the North...) where you had to be in contact with Meigs tower to do the downtown "Photo op circle" which was around the west side of the Sears Tower (below the antenna height I would add.) around to the north around the Hancock Center and down the lakeshore, over to Comisky and then back North... At Night, in a smaller plane it was absolutely SPECTACULAR !!!. I must have taken two dozen foreign visitors for a "Chicago by night" flight tour.. (brought in some SOLID business too...)

NOW, if you are flying VFR (visual Flight Rules) you can fly along the lakeshore at 2000 feet and talk to absolutely NO ONE, until you make the sudden turn toward a building. Thanks Mayor Daley for making the downtown area LESS Safe not MORE...

-------------
As to the actual firearm issue with Illinois, See ILCS 66/40 sub section e) under their Concealed Carry Act...

(e) Nothing in this Act shall prohibit a non-resident from transporting a concealed firearm within his or her vehicle in Illinois, if the concealed firearm remains within his or her vehicle and the non-resident: (1) is not prohibited from owning or possessing a

firearm under federal law;

(2) is eligible to carry a firearm in public under

the laws of his or her state or territory of residence, as evidenced by the possession of a concealed carry license or permit issued by his or her state of residence, if applicable; and

(3) is not in possession of a license under this Act. If the non-resident leaves his or her vehicle unattended, he or she shall store the firearm within a locked vehicle or locked container within the vehicle in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 65 of this Act.

What this means is, if you have a valid Indiana license, under this transport part of the law, you can carry it (yes in the car and yes, it can be loaded,) BUT you can NOT step foot outside the vehicle with the firearm and must secure it in the vehicle. This includes even something as simple as stopping for a Coke, pumping Gas, or taking a pee. However it Does work out well to be able to Leave Indiana, with your firearm, drive straight through to Wisconsin, Missouri, or wherever outside of Illinois...

I also highlight the Unattended part of the last paragraph as an encouragement to have spouses or significant others to also have their LTCH, even if they don't carry and even if they do not shoot.
For example: You stop for fuel on 294 going around the City, and dutifully put the loaded firearm in your center console while fueling... Your wife now, has access to the loaded firearm and if not in possession of the LTCH from the state of residence, would now be considered a felon. Surprise!!!!

This then leads to the obvious question of, what if you are stopped by an Illinois LEO, and he gives you a "lawful order" to exit the vehicle, and you happen to have your little friend on your side... Haven't had one of those cases yet, but I am sure it is going to happen... only a matter of time... as the police superintendent (appropriately named McCarthy) in Chicago stated the other day, Officers are going to shoot concealed carriers first, and ask questions later, anyway...

My best suggestion is like the previous posters... Get gas before you leave Indiana and don't stop until you get out of Illinois. Until such time that the rest of the State starts getting Chicago out of the State control... it is the only thing they understand... Lost money...




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"Although I am a Lawyer, I am not your lawyer, this posting does not contain nor should it be considered legal advice and is intended for informational and conversational purposes only... Your mileage may vary..."
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[rhino]

I grew up in Cook county (Tinley Park), IL. I remember my parents' anger at tax time, and how difficult the county made it to sell our farm. I remember how many times we were robbed. Their citizens are largely disarmed (thankfully, this is slowly changing). The nice marina we used to spend weekends at has been mostly gobbled up by a casino (and, being a public marina, slip holders would often show up to find locals using their gas grills, furniture, and whatever else they could get their hands on). We all know where our current president came from and why Chicago is the most listened-to police scanner on the internet every night. Don't even get me started on the price of gas (and everything else) or the traffic up there...

I find it sad, all the beautiful downstate rural areas and farms. I'm sure those folks aren't any different than rural Indiana folks. But Cook county essentially runs the state. Sometimes I wonder how long it'll be before the same thing happens here, between Marion and Lake counties.

The only thing I can do is vote with my wallet (and feet). When cbhausen and I are traveling, we plan specifically not to stop or spend one dime in Illinois. It's always gas up and eat at the last exit, set the cruise two over the limit, and blow on through. If Indiana goes the same way, the feet come into play--as in moving to a place that better reflects my values and ideology.

Something to think about. I do--a lot.

I've been boycotting Illinois since 1998.