Face it, we all have things we love and hate about Milwaukee. But, complaining and focusing on the negative leads nowhere. So, in the latest edition of this column we highlight an issue that we think needs to be addressed, discussed and solved. Every "This Sucks" feature tells you why we think something sucks, offers commentary, opinions, solutions and, of course, gives you the chance to weigh in through our exclusive talkback feature.

What sucks: Regional squabbles are nothing new. Plenty of states and cities share a border with animosity: Ohio and Michigan, New York and New Jersey. For us, it's the raging battle between Wisconsin and Illinois.

Really, it's more of a Wisconsin versus Chicago matter, since just about all of Northern Illinois is either Chicago or a suburb of Chicago.

This rivalry, and all the anger that comes with it, derives from several factors -- the most perplexing of which is Milwaukee's unnecessary inferiority complex to our neighbors to the south.

Why it sucks: It's pointless to even compare the two cities, and the only reason anyone would is because of their proximity.

Put Chicago and Milwaukee into perspective. According to the 2005 U.S. Census, more than 2.8 million people live in Chicago. About 580,000 people live in City of Milwaukee -- a five to one ratio. If you include metro areas, both numbers are much higher. Geographically, Chicago covers more than twice the area of Milwaukee.

Plenty of people say that the Brew City needs to act more like the Windy City. But why? Instead, can't we celebrate our differences?

Milwaukee's Fourth District Ald. Robert Bauman, who was born on the North Side of Chicago, says that he hasn't experienced the rivalry to the extent of others and has never quite understood it.

"I don't think there is a rivalry. I would like to see a strong alliance, to be honest. The cities are so different in size and I think Milwaukee, to think we're in competition with Chicago, would be unwise," says Bauman. "We should be looking toward building bridges with cities like Chicago."

Doug Neilson, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee, says Milwaukee shouldn't try to be something it's not.

"We have a uniqueness that Chicago doesn't have. We are a large city with a small town feel," says Neilson. "(You) get amenities without the hassles of a big city. The Riverwalk, the art museum, Discovery World, the arts and cultural scene here, all of those things. Those are a lot of things people used to go to Chicago for and don't have to."

Stacie Callies, executive director of the Westown Association, says that the competition between Chicago and Milwaukee dates back to when the cities were first growing. Chicago developed faster than Milwaukee and the animosity spawned from that competition. However, she agrees that the rivalry is more inferiority complex than animosity.

"I think Milwaukeeans tend to think Chicago has more to offer. I don't think it's the case," says Callies. "We have our own points of interest that we can promote. I think we're unique in our history and our development and we have a lot of things to promote that we don't."

Residents of both states joke back and forth, but a few specific issues really get people riled up: driving, football and Chicagoans' attitude toward vacationing in Wisconsin (or Wisconsinites' attitude toward Chicagoans vacationing in Wisconsin).

"The perception is that Illinois drivers in Wisconsin drive fast, aggressively and reckless; I have seen many examples of this, but I realize it is not true of most people," says Nick Mischo, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee student and Fond du Lac native.

"(Also), Wisconsin residents feel as if Illinois people are infringing upon their 'space.' Many people from Illinois have summer cabins in Northern Wisconsin, and people feel that they don't belong there."

Marquette University student and St. Charles, Ill. resident, Amanda Sheaffer agrees with Mischo on the driving issue, but also points to sports rivalries.

"I think a lot of animosity stems from two things, football and driving," Sheaffer says. "Packers and Bears fans hate each other. Illinoisans hate Wisconsin drivers because they drive slow; Wisconsinites hate Illinoisans because we drive fast and have toll roads."

According to Dean Amhaus, president of the Spirit of Milwaukee, the rivalry has been around forever, but he doesn't think there's much behind it.

"It could be a sports thing, a loyalty between fans and a pride that exists."

But maybe this animosity is more focused one-way toward Illinois. The Chicago Office of Tourism doesn't seem to think there is a rivalry, except on a sports level.

"We are not aware of a rivalry between Chicago and Milwaukee... perhaps you are referring to a rivalry between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs," says Elizabeth Walasin Lulla, of the Chicago Office of Tourism Public Relations.

But, look at the nicknames being tossed back and forth.

According to Wisconsinites, Illinoisans are "F.I.B.s" and "F.I.S.H."

In case you didn't know, those stand for "f*cking Illinois bastards" and "f*cking Illinois sh*theads" -- harsh words, indeed. In return, Wisconsinites get off pretty easy with the lazy, harmless "cheesehead" tag.

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