[hinkley]

It's just a One Major Metropolis versus rural thing. Chicago is Chicago, not Illinois. Watch two Illinoisans try to sort out they're "From Illinois" but one's from anywhere but a Chicago exurb, and they'll say, "Oh, you're from Chicago," not, "cool." More like, "Yeah you're technically in Illinois ... You're in the corner by the weird lake and you're way too close to Wisconsin and Indiana for comfort anyway."

[throwaway0a5e]

You don't see these problems in states where the the one major population center that happens to control the state government isn't seeking to exert strong control over the rural areas.

[hinkley]

I don't doubt it. Got a good example?