region of Illinois, USA
Central Illinois is a region of Illinois extending south from Chicagoland along the border with Indiana. It includes Champaign, DeWitt, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, LaSalle, Livingston, McLean, and Shelby counties.
Central Illinois, depending on the context, generally refers to the area located south of Kankakee, east of I-39/i-55 and north of I-70. Some definitions will also include Western Illinois or have some slightly varied borders.
Central Illinois is perhaps most famous for agriculture. During the last ice age, glaciers leveled the land and left it highly fertile. Today, Central Illinois farms are a significant contributor to the Midwest's total output.
Culturally, the region is similar to Central Indiana and Northern Illinois and tends to be socially and culturally conservative with some notable exceptions, such as the college towns of Urbana, Champaign, Bloomington and Normal. While the area borders the Chicagoland region, most residents do not want to be associated with Chicago due to its perceived undue influence over the rest of the State.
In addition to agriculture, the region is reknowned around the State for being home to the State's two largest public universities: the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal. The State's capital, Springfield, is also located in the region.
The region is also home to an Amish community, with the area around Arthur having the highest concentration of them, as well as smaller numbers in the areas surrounding Arcola, Sullivan and Tuscola.
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI).
Watch out for tornadoes...