Crossing the line separating Indiana and Illinois sometimes means dealing with different laws and customs. Readers are asked to share ideas for this weekly feature. This week: Beauty pageants.
Illinois women historically have been judged more beautiful than their Hoosier counterparts, at least by beauty pageant standards.
Miss Illinois has claimed the Miss America title five times since the annual contest began at Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1921. Most recently Erika Harold, of Urbana, was Miss America 2003.
Only four states — California, New York, Ohio and Oklahoma — have won it more than Illinois with six each.
Advertisement (1 of 1): 0:14
Miss Indiana has been named Miss America just once.
In 2009, Katie Stam, of Seymour, won the national title after first claiming the Miss Duneland crown at a 2008 Michigan City pageant.
Illinois also tops Indiana for Miss USA pageant crowns, 4-0.
The city of Gary has the distinction of hosting the Miss USA pageant in 2001 and 2002. It never has been put on in Illinois.
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/crossing-the-line-beauty-pageants/article_a2127282-cf1b-516d-a41c-76a1148b4a7c.html