Illinois drinking numbers

With over 300 breweries, Illinois has plenty to toast to, yet our drinking habits might surprise you — it’s all about moderation.

A new study shows that one in six adult drinkers in America are binge drinkers, but in some states, cities, and counties the numbers are higher than that. Although Illinois will probably never outdrink the folks in Wisconsin and Iowa, we've got more than our share of bingers, too. Let's see where they live in our state.

It's no secret that underage drinking, which is defined as alcohol consumption by those aged 12-20, is a national problem here in the US and around the world. Illinois might not lead the nation in underage drinking, but some of the numbers in a new University of Illinois study show that we've got a problem with it in Illinois, too.

Every single state has a portion of the overall population that elbow-bends a bit more than the rest, which leaves us wondering how big the drinking population of Illinois is, and how do we stack up against other states--especially here in the Midwest.

Every single state has a portion of the overall population that elbow-bends a bit more than the rest, which leaves us wondering how big the drinking population of Illinois is, and how do we stack up against other states--especially here in the Midwest.

Midwestern drinking is probably going to be high for the next few days, but how much does Illinois and the Midwest pour down our throats throughout the year?