Why We Love the Midwest

"Chicago deep-dish pizza." — Cindi Remington Peterson

"The diversity. There is everything from farmland to the city of Chicago to a national forest. We are bordered by the great Mississippi and Ohio rivers. We have the best presidential museum in the Lincoln library and museum." — Deb Kuster

"Starved Rock State Park, Galena and Chicago." — Terri Gordy

"The scenery and wildlife of Southern Illinois, especially the Shawnee National Forest (beautiful during the fall with leaves changing colors)." — Therese Sisney

"Garden of the Gods!" — Michele Fouts

"Great places to shop (small towns and large cities) ... great food, all while enjoying great Midwesterners!" — Melissa Nix

"Wine trail and the River Road in fall." — Betty White

"Moline and John Deere!" — Jennifer McNally

Pictured: Millennium Park in Chicago.