Prep sports reporter, State Journal-Register, Springfield, Ill.

Not sure if they have any of Lincoln's bones, but Metropolis, Ill., does lay claim to Superman:

 

Is it true that even Metropolis refuses to accept the "southern Illinois" designation? Everywhere I ever lived in Illinois growing up, people insisted "southern Illinois" started 30 miles south of them, and that they were "central."

 

It's not sad that a state capital city gets 300 applicants for an opening. It's tough odds, but it tells me that hundreds of people, however naive they may be, believe in the enduring relevance of newspapers to tell local stories to local readers.

 

If Metropolis isn't southern Illinois, what is??? They're farther south than much of Kentucky.

That being said, geography has always been a bit screwy in the "Land of Lincoln." I always loved how Chicagoans like to refer to places like Rockford and Freeport as "downstate." ???

 

Chicagoans don't think Illinois exists south of I-80

 

I went to college with a Chicagoan who considered anything south of I-80 southern Illinois. I suppose that's an improvement.

The 618 area code is southern Illinois in my book. Isn't that right, Central Illinoisan?

 

No matter where you are in Illinois, "southern Illinois" officially starts at the next town south, according to the locals.

Chicagoans say it starts at I-80. Peorians say it starts at Springfield. Springfielders say it starts in the 618 area code.

 

Where I grew up I considered southern Illinois. So if it was the next town south, then my mind just exploded.

 

Well, you have my condolences at the least.

 

Second that.

 

GateHouse stock closing at 7 cents today, and the company has had it's line of credit cut to $35 million because it's about $1 billion in debt.

Not saying I wouldn't take the job if I were looking, but I wouldn't sign a long-term lease.

 

I thought the stock got delisted?