Just for the record: Cleveland is in Ohio, not Illinois.
That's pretty mean-spirited to make a value judgment about geography and lower someone's self esteem. Today's public school geography student need not fear such judgment. If a student believes Cleveland is in Illinois, who are we to judge? Ohio and Illinois are relatively close to each other. Shouldn't there be points for identifying the correct nation or continent?
The only time there should be consequences for such conclusions is if you are actually trying to get to Cleveland. Since few people not already living in Cleveland are trying to get there, there ought to be considerable slack given here. Even if you have to get to Cleveland, you can always ask a law enforcement officer which direction you should drive to arrive in Cleveland.
If you are flying, just rely on your airline to find it.
Also, from the sounds of the article, Cleveland won't be around much longer, anyway. That will greatly simplify the whole matter.