The four phrases below have something in common. Can you determine what it is?

FEELING ILL
NOAH'S ARK
EYE WASH
NEAR MISS

HINT:
The answer has to do with the second word in each phrase.

Answers:

Feeling Illinois
Noah's Arkansas
Eye Washington
Near Mississippi 

Credit: LA Times Crossword
March 22, 2011
Kurt Mengel and Jan-Michele Gianette
BEFORE AND AFTER