Riley Evergreen

We've dropped to number-two when it comes to states losing their residents year over year, now that California has taken over the number one spot. California may have a few more people heading for the exits than we do, but Illinois is still hemorrhaging population at a high rate. Here's where departing Illinoisans usually go when they leave.

I've read time and time again about people in other states who've made it a game or bucket list thing to hit every single restaurant from their state that has been featured on TV's Diners, Drive Ins, & Dives. If you're up for a similar challenge, take a look at where you'd go if you wanted to do the same thing here in Illinois.

If you're going to pick a favorite, you'd better spend some time checking out a whole bunch of eateries first. Well, Guy Fieri and the gang at Diners, Drive-Ins, & DIves have certainly done that, having covered Illinois nearly from top to bottom. Here's what stands above the rest.