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Now that spring is officially here and flowers are in full bloom, it is time to start thinking about where you can find and purchase local produce and goods. Illinois is known across the country for our agriculture, mainly corn, soybeans and wheat, but this state is also full of oats, fruits, vegetables and meats.
Luckily for Illinoisans, farmers’ markets can be found all across the state. Illinois is home to over 300 registered farmers’ markets and is a national leader in community-supported agriculture. Illinois ranked 3rd in the country for its number of farmers’ markets. In the past 20 years, the number of farmers’ markets jumped from 1,775 to over 8,000.
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If you’re looking for a large city with low crime, one recent ranking claims you can’t do better than Illinois’ fifth-largest city.
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Not only was Springfield once the home of Abraham Lincoln, but it is also one of the cheapest cities to live in the United States.
DealCrunch says that affordable housing and utilities make the capital city a great place to live.
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According to one study, Naperville is the safest city for women in the United States. A data analysis company compared crime statistics for 285 cities with at least 100,000 residents, and Naperville came out number one.
"We are very pleased and proud of the No. 1 rating. Our community outreach efforts and preventative programs specially designed to ensure women's safety are just some of our keys to success," said Naperville police Chief Robert Marshall in a Daily Herald article.
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If you want to live in the Midwest, Illinois is your best bet for making the highest salary. The average worker here makes $52,588 per year. In fact, the state ranks head and shoulders above most of its neighbors. Only in Illinois and Minnesota does the average worker bring in more than $50,000 per year.
Even when compared to the whole nation, Illinois comes off well, with the 8th best pay in the United States.
Illinois comes out even better when you consider the state’s very reasonable cost of living.