FACT: The Prettiest Lake in Illinois Is NOT in Illinois

Here's a real fact that does not sound like a fact. The prettiest lake in Illinois isn't in Illinois at all. If you're confused, join the club.

I don't doubt that the geniuses at Reader's Digest know what they're talking about. They've been around much longer than I have. However, they have made the head-turning decision to declare the prettiest lake in each state and their choice for Illinois is...interesting.

There is no argument from me that Lake Michigan is a real looker. Beautiful, pretty, stunning and I could go on and on. But, while Lake Michigan BORDERS Illinois, it's not technically in the Land of Lincoln. Are we counting inlets from Lake Michigan that hook into Illinois as a lake?

There's one other aspect of this that's a bit questionable. Lake Michigan is (*spoiler alert*) named after Michigan and not Illinois. Could they have chosen one of the hundreds of lakes that are actually IN Illinois? Answer - yes, they could have. Lake Shelbyville or Rend Lake or the Lake of Egypt. Illinois really does not lack for lakes in the state. Trying to take credit for Lake Michigan seems like a reach for Illinois. If you don't live in Chicago, you likely do not think of it as an Illinois body of water. Tell me this isn't a pretty lake.

I will admit this is a big to-do about nothing. Reader's Digest can pick any lake they want and call it pretty and they did. As for me, I'll continue my campaign for Illinois lakes that are actually in the state.