Hardest Places in Illinois to Pronounce

Okay, maybe here in Illinois we don't torture the tongue with places like Ypsilanti, Oconomowoc, Menomonee, and Waukesha, but we do have a few places that, for folks outside Illinois, seem to be a little tough to pronounce.

Some of the "how do you say it" towns in Illinois include:

• Waukegan- (waw-KEE-guhn)
• Wauponsee- (wah-PAHN-see)
• Wataga- (vi-uh-TAH-guh)
• Vergennes- (ver-JENZ)
• Tiskilwa- (TIS-kil-wah)
• Teheran- (Tuh-HAIR-uhn)
• Somonauk- (SAHM-uh-nok)
• Shobonier- (SHOH-boh-NEER)
• Shabbona- (SHAB-buh-nuh)
• Papineau- (PAP-i-NAW)
• Loogootee- (LOH-guh-TEE)
• Kaskaskia- (kas-KAS-kee-uh)
• Ipava- (eye-PAY-vuh)
• Delhi- (DEL-HEYE)
• Chautauqua- (shuh-TAWK-wuh)

If you knew how to pronounce all the cities and towns above, congratulations! I'm sure you've enjoyed torturing someone who didn't. It's all part of the joy of living in the midwest. However, if you say "Ell-uh-Noise," you're on your own, pal.