Illinois

Springfield was my home town. The Republican mafia, the "good ol' boy" style of business and labor relations and the unthinking, John Birch right-wing conservatism drove me out in 1979. The two newspapers are published by the same company..a right-wing propaganda organization that seems to be mentally stuck in the McCarthy era. Tucson has been my home ever since. I've only been back to the Midwest for the occasional visit to family.
Might I suggest Bloomington-Normal. I went to college at Illinois Wesleyan there, visit often, and love the two cities. Two world-class universities, diverse populous, several industries, and an appreciation of art and culture that is totally lacking in Springfield. Best of all, the state legislature is seventy miles away, so you'll never run into any of those corrupt louts.