A growing movement to separate portions of Illinois from Cook County continues to gain attention, with nearly one-third of the state’s 107 counties considering or approving non-binding referendum questions related to creating a new state.
County boards in those areas have placed advisory questions on the ballot, allowing voters to express whether they support exploring the idea. The measures would not change Illinois’ borders but are intended to gauge public opinion.
Supporters of the effort argue that the political priorities of rural and downstate Illinois are often overshadowed by the influence of Cook County and the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
Matt Lees, an instructor of political science and sociology at John A. Logan College, said that if efforts to address those concerns are unsuccessful, some residents may choose to leave Illinois.
“States like California, Illinois, New Jersey and New York are seeing a lot of residents leaving,” Lees said. “They have a negative outgrowth, and a lot of these people are going to other states.”
Supporters say additional counties are expected to place similar advisory referendum questions on the ballot this fall, giving more Illinois voters an opportunity to weigh in on the proposal.
Any effort to create a new state would face significant legal hurdles. It would require approval from both the Illinois General Assembly and the U.S. Congress, making the process lengthy and complex.