The satirical, animated series, “The Simpsons,” has graced televisions for over 25 years, making it America’s longest-running animated series and longest-running sitcom. Over all those years this show has provided viewers with lots of laughs and, surprisingly enough, education. Seriously. There are several colleges that offer a variety of Simpsons-themed courses.
While “The Simpsons” has shown us the lighter side of history, politics and pop culture, one thing they haven’t shown us is their home state. This ongoing gag has stirred up quite the tug-of-war among Simpsons fans wanting to stake their claim on being the home of the famous yellow-tinted family. In an interview with Smithsonian Magazine, the show’s creator Matt Groening said that he named the city, which the Simpson family calls home, after Springfield, Oregon. The keyword in that sentence: “named.” Now, I firmly believe that after naming the city, the show’s writers and even the creator himself, found there could be only one Springfield in this country that could possibly hold all that wackiness, political corruption and loveable people; and that’s Springfield, Illinois. Don’t believe it? Check out the list below for proof that the Simpsons live in Illinois:
20. Fracking was introduced to “The Simpsons” community, and coincidentally, around the same time this episode aired Illinois had just passed regulations that will allow fracking to begin in the state:
19. Nearby towns mentioned in “The Simpsons”: Springfield, Shelbyville, Ogdenville (Pretty darn close to Ogden, IL).
18. Politicians that seem to serve forever? Yep, Illinois has got that down pat. Both Springfields make it pretty near impossible to pass term limits.
17. Nuclear Power is important to both of us, as Illinois has more nuclear power plants than any other state in the nation.
16. The voice of Homer Simpson, Dan Castellaneta, was born in Illinois, and a Northern Illinois University alumni; obviously “The Simpsons” creators wanted a native that could capture the Illinois accent.
15. During the “couch gag” at the beginning of the episode “The Ziff Came to Dinner,” the screen pans out to the map of the United States, and the location is smack-dab over Illinois.
14. We think everyone will agree that some corrupt Illinois politician has done this at some point:
13. We share the same complaint about our leadership: They’re never in Springfield. Gov. Pat Quinn only resided in Springfield 14% of 2012, while Mayor Diamond Joe Quimby’s appearance was so rare that it made the front page of the newspaper:
12. In the episode, “Blood Feud,” Mr. Burns sends a letter to the Simpsons household, and the addresses say, “Springfield, IL.”
11. Springfield, Illinois’ downtown and “The Simpsons’” Springfield downtown look very similar:
10. Both Springfields have a Lake Springfield! Our Springfield’s power plant is coal-powered, not nuclear, and no three-eyed fish have been reported there. But still.
9. Both of us want lower taxes, but don’t want our services cut.
8. Adlai Stevenson II’s headstone is located in the Simpsons’ Springfield cemetery — however, Adlai Stevenson II’s grave site is actually in Bloomington, Illinois, but you get the point.
7. This attack ad from the episode “Sideshow Bob Roberts” bears a striking resemblance to an attack ad from the Illinois 2014 Election:
6. It’s common for taxpayer money to go missing:
5. Mayor Quimby loves slush funds and kickbacks, so do corrupt Illinois politicians:
![Illinois State Rep. Derrick Smith]()
- Derrick Smith was convicted on bribery charges in June 2014.
4. In the episode “Sideshow Bob Roberts,” Republican candidate Sideshow Bob won the election with votes from dead voters. Illinois politics made the dead voter scheme famous!
3. The “Budget Deficit Rag,” might as well be the Illinois state song:
2. Krusty the clown bears a resemblance to another TV clown from Illinois: Bozo.
1. And finally: The government seal for Springfield in “The Simpsons” is quite similar to Illinois’, complete with the motto: Corruptus in Extremis. How fitting.
NEXT ARTICLE: Chicago vs. Downstate: What are some of the cultural differences?
- Why stop here? Take our “12 Ways You Know You’re From Illinois” test and see if you make the native Illinoisan grade.
- But wait! We’ve got a second part of that quiz too. Click here and test your Illinois knowledge.
- How well do you know Illinois? Test your knowledge of Illinois history here!
- Travel these 10 creepy Illinois roads…If you dare!
- 8 abandoned Illinois sites that will creep you out
Madison Bondi is Reboot’s outreach manager. Formerly with BCV, an award-winning social media management firm, Bondi has experience in public relations and in building digital communities and brands. Check out Bondi’s work, erasing the mystique of social media and revealing how candidates can use it to their advantage with our weekly Buzz-Meter. You can find Reboot on Facebook at and on Twitter @rebootillinois. Her email is Madison.Bondi@rebootillinois.com.