WalletHub: Illinois ranks low on patriotism

Posted on July 4, 2017
American flag
Only one state in the country is less patriotic than Illinois. (Photo courtesy Flickr/planetc1)

By Cole Lauterbach/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois ranks near the bottom of the list in terms of patriotism.

Financial site WalletHub released a list of the most patriotic states. Illinois landed 49th out of 50, ahead of only New Jersey. The personal finance website based its rankings on two main categories: military engagement and civic engagement.

Analyst Jill Gonzalez said it would be no surprise that Illinois has fewer enlisted residents since the state doesn’t have many military bases.

But the state’s lack of civic engagement is less than any other.

“It really did not do well at all,” Gonzalez said. “It had a low percentage of citizens voting in the last election.”

Gonzalez said this poor showing doesn’t mean that Illinoisans don’t love their country, but the low rating is partially caused by a high school course that is not required here.

“Illinois is one of the few states that does not have a civic education requirement,” she said.

Illinois also has low electoral turnouts – in part because of few contested races due to gerrymandering – and low volunteerism.

New Jersey was the last on the list. Virginia took top honors.

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