Here Are 12 Things People from Illinois Do That Seem Insane To Everyone Else

Illinois might be the Land of Lincoln, but it’s also the land of some truly head-scratching habits. What seems perfectly reasonable to locals often leaves outsiders wide-eyed, confused, or just laughing. From eating casserole-like pizza to surviving Chicago winters, Illinoisans have perfected their own brand of “normal.”

1. Eat Pizza That’s More Like a Lasagna

Deep dish isn’t pizza to outsiders—it’s a casserole in a crust. Illinoisans will fight you over this (usually with a fork in hand).

2. Call Round Sausage Slices “Wrong”

In Illinois, pizza sausage is crumbled. Outsiders who expect pepperoni-style sausage discs get judged immediately.

3. Put Ketchup on Hot Dogs? Absolutely Not

Chicago-style hot dogs come with mustard, onions, relish, sport peppers, and celery salt—but never ketchup. Outsiders break this rule at their own risk.

4. Complain About Taxes Like It’s a Sport

Every Illinoisan has a story about high property taxes or “the Chicago fee.” Outsiders just nod politely while wondering why people still live there.

5. Treat Malört Like a Rite of Passage

Outsiders gag. Locals grin and say, “Welcome to Chicago.”

6. Refer to Roads by Old Names Only

Call it the Eisenhower or the Stevenson, not “I-290” or “I-55.” Outsiders are instantly lost.

7. Dress for All Four Seasons in a Single Day

Illinois weather can swing 40 degrees in 24 hours. Locals are prepared with snow boots, a hoodie, and shorts—just in case.

8. Say “Jeet?” Instead of “Did You Eat?”

Illinoisans mash it into one word. Outsiders need a translator.

9. Head to the Lakefront Like It’s the Beach

To locals, Lake Michigan is the ocean. Outsiders can’t help but notice there are no waves—or salt.

10. Call Every Soft Drink “Pop”

Outsiders say soda, southerners say Coke—Illinoisans stick with “pop” and won’t budge.

11. Pretend Chicago Is the Whole State

To many, Illinois = Chicago. Outsiders don’t realize there’s an entire state south of I-80.

12. Brag About Surviving Winters Like It’s a Medal of Honor

Frozen eyelashes, negative wind chills, and shoveling snow at 6 a.m.—Illinoisans wear it as a badge of pride.

To outsiders, life in Illinois can look downright ridiculous. But for locals, these quirks are just part of living in the Midwest’s most stubbornly unique state. Spend enough time here and you’ll be calling soda “pop,” gagging down Malört, and proudly surviving winters like you were born for it.