[RayChuang88]

I blame the whole mess on just two counties in Illinois: Cook and DuPage, the counties that encompass the Chicago metropolitan area. Subtract out these two counties and Illinois (for the most part) would be a reasonably prosperous state, especially its agricultural output.

It's similar to the situation in Michigan: subtract out Wayne County (where Detroit is located) and it becomes a far more conservative state.

[Dave W]

That is true in practically all blue states, with the exception of Massachusetts. Washington state less Seattle, Oregon less Portland and Salem, Penn less Philadelphia, Virginia less northern Virginia. I could go on and on, but those places are where the people live so they control the state.

[ought-six]

Don’t blame Dupage.