Term 'downstate' is demeaning

It is generally not a good idea to offend your readers. The term "downstate" is offensive to people from outside the Chicago-land area:

It implies that those outside this area are inferior and do not live/work/play in an area that deserves a real name.

If you substitute the word "you people" or "those people," you can get a sense of the superior attitude in those saying the term "downstate."

This term is negative in the sense it is used by politicians who don't care or appreciate people outside Chicagoland.

Use proper geographical references: counties (102 such possibilities) and the name of the city/town/village in articles and headlines.

Don't take just my word about this request. Ask residents of central, southern, western, eastern and northwestern Illinois their reaction to this dismissive term.

Enlighten your readers,

Dave Schlembach

Glen Ellyn