Illinois State (USA)

21st state, admitted on December 3, 1818

Many future migrants are familiar with Illinois as a state that frequently appears in every fourth movie. Additionally, it is the state with the largest Ukrainian diaspora. Chicago, a city in Illinois, is a major economic center and transportation hub of the U.S. The city is also famous for being featured in the movie “Home Alone,” its legendary museum, and the notorious mafia group “La Cosa Nostra.”

Location

The state of Illinois is located near Lake Michigan, in the heart of the U.S., specifically in the Midwest region. It covers almost 150,000 km² of land. It borders the states of Indiana, Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, and Kentucky.

Capital of Illinois: Springfield

Largest cities: Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville

Climate and Landscape

Average temperature in Illinois:

• In winter: -15°C to 0°C
• In summer: +19°C to +30°C (rarely above +40°C)

If you love all four seasons, Illinois will certainly appeal to you. The state experiences hot, humid summers and, of course, cold winters. You’ll also enjoy autumn and spring.

Precipitation occurs year-round, but more frequently in May and June.

It is important to note that, like all U.S. states, Illinois is vast, so weather forecasts may differ in various parts of the state.

The southern part of the state borders a subtropical climate, where significantly less snow falls compared to the northern part of Illinois.

According to local residents:

Living in or near Chicago during winter can be quite cold. The winds blowing from Lake Michigan cut right through you, making walks and the journey home in winter less pleasant and cozy than one might hope. Waves from the lake freeze on the shores, creating an impressive sight!

Tornadoes and twisters are rare but regular occurrences in the state. Snowstorms also happen during the winter months.

Landscape and nature of Illinois

The state is mostly dominated by plains. Prairies make up the bulk of Illinois. Only in the south do hills rise, forming the state’s highest point, Charles Mound, standing at nearly 380 meters above sea level.

The nature here will seem very familiar to residents of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Trees (flora), lowlands, and rivers – all of it will appear strikingly familiar to immigrants from these countries.

Rivers

The largest river in the state is the Illinois River, spanning 430 meters. In addition, the state has bordering rivers such as the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash.

In 2020, crime in Illinois (especially in the city of Chicago) increased, and the situation nearly spiraled out of control.

It’s no secret that there are areas in the city where it’s not advisable to wander, even during daylight hours. Just like in Hollywood movies, real gangs live and engage in conflicts here. The problem is that these gang shootouts claim the lives of innocent passersby who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In July 2020, one such shootout resulted in the death or injury of 67 people.

During his presidency, Donald Trump called Chicago a “war zone” and sent military assistance to restore order in the city.

Population

The state of Illinois ranks 5th in population size in the country, with around 15 million people living there.

This region is the most densely populated among other Midwestern states. The majority of the state’s residents (65%) prefer to live and work near the city of Chicago (which has about 3 million residents), as it is the center of infrastructure, opportunities, and finances.

The region’s population, like that of all states, is quite diverse. In terms of race, those living in Illinois include:

• White (approximately 71.5%)
• Latino (approximately 15.8%)
• African American (about 14.5%)
• Asian (approximately 4.6%)
• Other races (about 8.1%)

Ukrainian diaspora. Since the migration of Ukrainians to Chicago began back in the 19th century and continues today, it’s worth noting that a whole diaspora has formed here. Under its aegis, organizations and churches operate, and meetings and holidays are held. If you go a little west of downtown, you’ll find the Ukrainian Village neighborhood, where Ukrainian immigrants once lived, and now it’s also home to Belarusians, Poles, and even some Germans. This is the area where the movie “Home Alone” was filmed.

Crime in Illinois

Illinois occasionally appears on the lists of the top most dangerous states to live in.

Violent crime rate: 404.1 per 100,000 people.

In 2020, crime in Illinois (especially in the city of Chicago) increased, and the situation almost spiraled out of control.

It’s no secret that there are areas in the city where it’s not advisable to wander, even during daylight hours. Just like in Hollywood movies, real gangs live and engage in conflicts here. The problem is that these gang shootouts claim the lives of innocent passersby, who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In July 2020, one such shootout resulted in 67 people being killed or injured.

During his presidency, Donald Trump called Chicago a “war zone” and sent military assistance to restore order in the city.

Everyone hopes and waits for the situation to normalize. But it takes time, legislative action, and authority efforts to make a difference.

IMPORTANT! These disturbances occur locally, and locals say that if you follow the rule of “never wandering into unsafe areas,” you can live in Chicago all your life without becoming a victim or witness to crime.

Keep in mind that bad neighborhoods remain, with widespread poverty, various crimes, and unsanitary conditions.

The most crime-ridden areas of Chicago are located on the west and south sides.

The most dangerous city in Illinois: Danville.

Therefore, E-MIGRATING advises you to be cautious and carefully choose where to live (even if it’s just a hotel or an apartment for one night). Choose safety over an attractively low price.

Economy

Illinois ranks among the top economically advanced states in the U.S. It holds the 5th place in the country by GDP volume.

Chicago is one of the main transportation hubs of the country. It has a major water port, and O’Hare Airport has been recognized as the busiest in the WORLD for the past 10 years.

Poverty level among residents is at 12%.

The most active economic sectors include industry, automotive, agriculture, finance, banking, aerospace, tourism, retail, and oil extraction and refining.

The state minimum wage is $10 per hour.

By 2025, it will rise to $15 per hour, according to the law passed for an annual $1 increase in the minimum wage.

Banks and major global company offices are concentrated in the city of Chicago. In the inner regions of the state, agriculture is thriving (winemaking, grain cultivation, and even watermelon and pumpkin farming). Additionally, it’s worth noting that the region holds substantial oil reserves, which is why oil refineries are located near Chicago. The state takes the top spot in oil refining volume.

Illinois for Business

Understanding how business fares in Illinois wasn’t easy, but after scouring the internet, here are our conclusions:

Illinois isn’t the best, but it’s also not the worst state to start a business.

Currently, the following companies operate in Illinois:

• Aerospace corporation Boeing
• Motorola
• McDonald’s headquarters
• Kraft Foods
• Wrigley
• Chrysler and others.

If you plan to start a business here, it’s important to analyze market needs and opportunities. After all, Illinois ranks 5th by GDP, and there are emerging niches and sectors where you could thrive.

If you’re planning to move and register your company in Illinois, it’s essential to understand the state’s tax system, as taxes vary significantly. We recommend consulting local specialists for registration assistance.

Real Estate

Rental prices in Chicago.

The following prices are relevant for 2021.

Rental prices for one-bedroom apartments or studios in Chicago by city (approximate):

• Chicago from $800-$1000 per month
• Aurora from $900-$1300 per month (for houses: 2 or more bedrooms)
• Tampa $600-$800 per month

You can view detailed prices by city and choose what suits you best on sites like www.trulia.com or www.zillow.com. Just enter the city, price range, and type of real estate. If you have trouble translating city names, use a translator.

Ecology

Environmental issues are now a global concern, but some regions are making efforts to improve the situation, while others are not.

Illinois, like the U.S. as a whole, is among those making efforts. For example, Chicago, thanks to a large-scale greening program, is considered one of the greenest metropolises in the country. The city features green rooftops, numerous parks, eco-friendly hotels, and even eco-transportation options that minimize environmental impact.

It’s worth noting that significant effort and investment have been put into the city over the last 15 years to achieve these results.

However, of course, there are also problems. As mentioned earlier, Illinois is a leader in oil refining, which means that the possibility and risks of leaks and other consequences are always present. This sometimes happens and inevitably harms the environment.

Landmarks

There is certainly plenty to do in Illinois! Many locations can surprise, delight, and even perplex you. Below is a list of some must-see places:

• The metropolis of Chicago and Lake Michigan – this area alone deserves its own article (to name a few: downtown Chicago, Aqua Tower, Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, the Art Institute of Chicago, the house where “Home Alone” was filmed, and more);
• Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site;
• Schaumburg;
• Starved Rock State Park on the Illinois River, known for its stunning canyons;
• Shawnee National Forest – a massive forest with rocks and waterfalls.

Why People Move to Illinois

The following points are collected from the internet and are subjective opinions of our editorial team.

• A large diaspora makes it easy to adapt. However, migrants recommend not staying too long in “our” circles, as it can slow down personal growth;
• A good standard of living and a decent balance between wages and expenses;
• A moderate cost of real estate;
• You have the option to choose between living near the city center or in the more suburban “two-story” America;
• Chicago has an excellent public transportation system, making commuting by train easy;
• There are plenty of jobs in Chicago for all ages and skill levels, so you will always find a way to earn money if you want to;
• It is known that in Illinois, you can apply for certain benefits – for example, pregnancy insurance or state child support;
• The weather is very similar to that of Kyiv, Minsk, or Moscow.

Possible Disadvantages of Living in Illinois

• You will need a car if you live in the suburbs;
• Very high taxes, even higher than in New York State;
• While the weather may seem familiar, it is extremely changeable. In winter, temperatures can drop to record lows, with Chicago occasionally experiencing -50°C due to chilling winds;
• Chicago has a lot of crime. There are good neighborhoods, bad ones, and very bad areas where even the police avoid going. We discussed this above;
• The performance of local law enforcement is rated below average by residents.

We hope this information was helpful. We’ll do our best to keep the information on the website up-to-date so you can always find what you need!