What is Illinois's Second City?

[Azn_chi_boi]

I haved wonder many many times, what is Illinois's second city.

Sometimes I think its Rockford, Peoria, or Springfield. Others I think of E. St. Louis because its on the other side of the river of a Major US city.

One thing is certain that I never think as Suburbs of Chicago are 2nd city.

SO I decided to make this thread on what do you think is Illinois's 2nd City..... :)

Feel Free to post pics.

Population don't matter...

I hope everyone know what is Illinois's first city is...

[Jules]

Evanston may be a Chicago suburb, but IMO it is more like Chicago than any other city in Illinois, making it for me Illinois' second city.

[Rockford]

Evanston is awesome....and it would be very interesting to see what it would have looked like if Chicago didn't exist. I mean imagine a BIG 10 university city on a beach.

Butttt...as it is...Chicago dominates, and although Evanston tries to maintain its own thing.....fighting a tidal wave is tough.

So my vote goes to the only city in Illinois that was Socialist for decades. Rockford.

[Accura4Matalan]

Rockford

[spyguy]

Aurora- I think Aurora and Naperville are collectively the same thing except with a difference in price range for homes, so they should be combined.
Naperville - Above
Other Chicago's suburb - Doubt it
Springfield - Never. Really, Springfield is meh. While the other cities might have more strip malls than buildings, Springfield just reminds me of a rotting city with the Hilton building and such. Kinda like that one city that Bart and friends go to with the large tower and glass ball on top.
Rockford - Probably the most likely along with Aurora/Naperville.
Peoria - Not really.
East St. Louis - Not really.

[Azn_chi_boi]

I'll pick Rockford too.

If Aurora and Naperville comind- 142,990+128,358= 271,348 in an area of 38.5+35.4=73.9

and thats the 2000 census...

[james2390]

I was thinking Peoria, but obviously most don't agree.

[edsg25]

Evanston isn't Illinois's second city, but among cities, it may very well be Illinois's second best downtown. I think you can make a pretty compelling argument to this point. What other city outside of the windy one would you find the degree of quality high rise residential construction going on. Downtown Evanston is acquiring a level of sophistication and cricitcal mass that downstate cities and other Chicagoland suburbs would have difficulty matching.

[Azn_chi_boi]

Peoria isn't the 2nd city to me, but it best represent Illinois as a whole in one city to me.

Peoria yells Illinois to me.

[JB_Gold Coast]

Evanston isn't Illinois's second city, but among cities, it may very well be Illinois's second best downtown. I think you can make a pretty compelling argument to this point. What other city outside of the windy one would you find the degree of quality high rise residential construction going on. Downtown Evanston is acquiring a level of sophistication and cricitcal mass that downstate cities and other Chicagoland suburbs would have difficulty matching.

I agree. And I think you could ask the question this way: "If you couldn't live in Chicago, what is the next city you would want to live in." My first choice would be Evanston. I think many others would agree...at least those of us living in Chicago.

It easily has the second best downtown. It may not be the "second city" per se, but it certainly is my second favorite city if that makes sense.

[Rockford]

Evanston isn't Illinois's second city, but among cities, it may very well be Illinois's second best downtown. I think you can make a pretty compelling argument to this point. What other city outside of the windy one would you find the degree of quality high rise residential construction going on. Downtown Evanston is acquiring a level of sophistication and cricitcal mass that downstate cities and other Chicagoland suburbs would have difficulty matching.

Well hopefully, Rockford will join Evanston in terms of new high-rises. Right now there are only a couple 10-15 story buildings.

I agree Evanston has a more vibrant downtown, but the "footprint"s of Rockford and Peoria's downtown are larger. Evanston is constrained by the lake, mansions and a university, nice constraints though.

[bangtoy]

Naperville. I can't believe that you had it in your poll, but that's too cool.

[SChristopher]

I haved wonder many many times, what is Illinois's second city.

Well wonder no more, after much research they have proved that there isnt one, just cows corn and brushy plains.....sorry that you wasted so much time thinking about this.

[Rural King]

Going to have to go with my default....Cairo....nah just kidding.

Peoria would get my vote as the second city of Illinois.

[SChristopher]

Yeah my reply was just a joke...but I guess it wasnt funny...If I had to pick I would go with the obvious Peoria choice...its really not that bad of a place...