The spectrum of Illinois chat can be downright mind-blowing. One moment you're typing frantically about the notorious "lake effect," swearing that never again after this winter will you set foot anywhere near Chicago. The next moment you're lauding a city that brings together so many disparate people into one tight space.

Illinois, but Chicago in particular, is heralded for its many cultural pockets. Poles, Italians, Irish, and Russians are just a small sampling of those who enjoy strong ethnic identities in a city that's a virtual U.N. of residents. One of the fringe benefits of this diversity is a ceaseless array of outstanding ethnic restaurants and foreign markets. Even if Chicago has done more than Italy for the image of pizza, there are more great authentic Italian joints in Chicago than any U.S. city except maybe New York.

Speaking of Food in Your Illinois Chat Room

You'd be foolish not to take advantage of Chicago's culinary supremacy, not only when first getting to know people online (they have to eat too, right? What better subject to introduce!), but when making plans for face-to-face meetings. Your first encounter should be a lunch, not a dinner. That way, if things do go horribly awry, all you've got to do is toss those paper plates, not sit uncomfortably through five more courses.

And what if you don't live in Chicago? Are you doomed to a life as a spinster or lonely old man? Nah. Even in your enfeebled condition, you'll still be able to hit your Illinois chat rooms and find love, friendship, or just someone to wipe your spittle for you. Of course, Illinois also has some six-thousand townships, the most of any state in the nation, so Chicago's hardly the only option for meeting singles, whether online or in person.