In a recent reflective article, Chris Ware, a Riverside-based artist, recalls a drive he took with his daughter from their home near Chicago to a remote cornfield in southern Illinois to witness the 2017 total solar eclipse.
Ware’s journey highlighted a troubling reality: the prevalence of Confederate flags along the way, an unsettling sign of the political climate in the region.
Fast forward to four years later, the echoes of that ride resurfaced as he embarked on another day trip through central Illinois. What he observed during this outing was equally concerning—Trump 2024 signs, Trump-as-Rambo banners, and hostile lawn signs directed at Governor J.B. Pritzker—all seemed excessively aggressive given the pandemic’s mismanagement by President Donald Trump.
Illinois represents a political dichotomy: the urban, predominantly Democratic Chicago versus the more conservative downstate areas. Despite this divide, downstate Illinois has not produced enough votes to sway the state’s electoral decisions significantly, with the last Republican president winning the state back in 1988.
Ware noted a historical reference to Blue Island Avenue, which extends from Chicago toward Blue Island, a name derived from the geographical features seen by early settlers. This route, reminiscent of a Native American trail, reflects a historical passage while traversing the gridded landscape of Chicago.
However, the term ‘Blue Island’ now resonates with an unsettling truth: Illinois, bordered by politically mixed Wisconsin and staunchly red Indiana, exhibits stark economic and social contrasts.
In recent years, Illinois has ranked among the highest for property taxes, prompting many artists and residents to migrate to neighboring Indiana—not for the climate, but for more favorable living conditions.
Moreover, the state’s population decline has become alarming; between 2010 and 2019, Illinois lost more residents than any other state, with a significant portion of that loss being African Americans seeking lower housing costs and better living conditions in less-policed areas of the South.
Reflecting on the political landscape has left Ware feeling anxious, raising questions about the sentiments and reactions of those living in downstate areas to the growing criticism of ‘cancel culture’ and so-called ‘woke’ initiatives.
Ware, originally from Nebraska, fondly recalls the Midwestern ethos: the humility exuded by its architecture and the straightforward communication of its people.
Despite identifying with the more liberal leanings of Chicago, he grapples with understanding how the collective anger between different ideological factions came to be.
As a contributor to the cultural dialogue, Chris Ware’s reflections illustrate the complexities of living in a politically divided state. The nuances of Illinois’ sociopolitical landscape serve as a microcosm of broader national tensions, prompting ongoing self-reflection and dialogue.
This insight is part of a broader narrative featured in the Nation magazine’s 160th anniversary issue, highlighting the publication’s commitment to chronicling political and cultural life in America since its founding by abolitionists in 1865.
The Nation has served as an independent and progressive voice in American journalism, documenting significant shifts in the nation’s discourse from the advent of the telegraph to the digital age of social media.
Chris Ware’s introspections offer a lens through which to view the intricacies of American identity amid political upheaval and cultural transformation.
image source from：chicagoreader
