OK, I'll agree Illinois has the biggest budget mess and the climate sucks (both too hot and to cold) and sales and property taxes are high (but not income tax) but is that really all you want to think about when considering where to retire? C'mon, we go Da Bears!!! And Lake Michigan, and corn, lots of corn. And, uh, .... um....Da Bears!! Oh, and Lakland basses, what about those, huh?