Illinois Among the Least-Liked States in America

Illinois is the least-liked big state in America, according to a YouGov survey of Americans this year, and the third least-liked state in the entire country.

As a New Year’s resolution for 2016, perhaps Illinois could strive to be more likeable to the rest of America.

Or not. Perhaps outranking New Jersey is enough.

Among all 50 states, New Jersey is the one Americans really dislike. It’s the only state the majority of people tend to see negatively, with 40 percent of Americans having an unfavorable opinion vs. 30 percent with a favorable opinion, according to YouGov. Who’s to blame for that? Chris Christie, MTV’s Jersey Shore, or the baggage handlers at Newark Airport?

And then comes Illinois. Americans like 47 other states more than Illinois. It would appear the Cubs, Blackhawks, Magnificent Mile, Lincoln Library, deep-dish pizza, Chicago hot dogs, Second City Theater, world-class museums and universities can’t really make up for the nation’s most-crowded and delay-prone airport, high taxes, traffic bottlenecks, Chicago shootings, dysfunctional politics, blatant government corruption, cold winters and hot summers.

Some of YouGov’s survey respondents said:

• lllinois is bankrupt and corrupt. The entire Illinois state legislature is corrupt. Enormously high property taxes are driving people out of this state. Enough’s enough!

• One very broken state, with no thanks to Gov. Bruce Rauner. Whatever you do, do not buy big payout lottery tickets in Illinois. You may have to sue to get your winnings, and I wouldn’t count on that either. No longer proud to be a resident here.

• It’s not that I don’t like Illinois. I was born, raised and still live here. It’s a beautiful state, but our politicians have messed up the economy and financial state and continue to do so. They need to wake up before we go bankrupt.

• Losing track on how many creepy, corrupt politicians this state spawns.

• Too cold in winter, too hot in summer. Too liberal. Too much taxation. Too much of state budget goes uselessly to unworthy recipients. Roads are in terrible condition. Too many politicians reside in prisons.

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Illinois scores a negative 11 on the “positivity” meter, with only 39 percent of residents feeling positive. Illinoisans are viewed as abrupt, guarded and demanding. However, we’re also seen as very big-hearted, adaptable leaders, too.

The most popular states? Hawaii (67 percent favorable to just 11 percent unfavorable), followed by Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Maine.

» view the YouGov poll data for every state