In northwest Chicago, the area known as Sauganash is often mistaken for an official neighborhood but is technically a district within the Forest Glen neighborhood. The name "Sauganash," meaning "English-speaking" in Potawatomi, was given by Billy Caldwell, a figure of mixed Irish and Mohawk heritage whose father was a British officer. Caldwell played a significant role in negotiating a treaty that led to the displacement of local Potawatomi, Chippewa, and Ottawa tribes from their ancestral lands. A century later, a real estate firm seeking to develop the quiet area, located approximately 10 miles from downtown Chicago, installed a plaque by a large elm tree purportedly marking the treaty signing site. According to the Sauganash Community Association, as the treaty was actually signed at Fort Dearborn, the plaque was more of a promotional device than a historic marker, intended to lend the development a sense of historical significance.

Further south in Illinois, the small city of Farmer City, situated roughly midway between Champaign and Bloomington, is known for two notable aspects of its history. In the late 19th century, the town’s downtown area was twice devastated by fire over the span of 15 years. More recently, in 2018, the Farmer City council adopted a resolution designating the city as a “Second Amendment sanctuary,” signaling that any firearm-related laws deemed excessive by local officials will not be enforced. With a population of around 1,800, Farmer City is characterized as a close-knit community where residents tend to know one another’s business.

Resident Danielle Bettinger, a former Chicago pharmacy student who has chosen to raise her family in Farmer City, expressed a preference for the safety and stability offered by the small town environment. During a recent neighborhood fireworks display funded collectively by local families, Bettinger noted that her three sons enjoy the visual spectacle but are less enthusiastic about the loud noises. Her middle son often wears clothing featuring the U.S. flag, while the eldest prefers military camouflage, reflecting their family’s patriotic sentiments. Bettinger lives in a multigenerational household with her mother and sister.

While she believes the country is generally on stable footing, Bettinger points to the rising cost of living as a significant concern. She estimates her weekly grocery bills alone exceed $200 for herself and her children, attributing much of the financial strain to persistent inflation, which she describes as largely outside individuals’ control.