Illinois Voters Advance New State Plan

Voters in 11 Illinois counties authorized local officials to investigate forming a new state separate from Cook County. Unofficial results show every county passed the measure, instructing their boards to collaborate with neighboring areas on the potential split.

The vote adds momentum to a movement that has now secured support in 33 counties statewide. No county has rejected the proposal in previous elections. The ballot language typically asks if the board should correspond with other counties outside Cook County regarding separation and seek admission to the union.

Support for the measure was strong in several rural areas. Washington County recorded approval from more than three in four voters. Henderson County followed closely with 73.1% in favor, while Gallatin County registered nearly 70% support.

The campaign for these referendums relies on Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution. The organization Illinois Separation places questions on ballots using petitions or county board decisions. They argue that counties outside Cook County are influenced too heavily by Cook County politics.

State leaders have expressed skepticism about the process. Governor JB Pritzker described the initiative as a stunt. Attorney General Kwame Raoul has questioned the legal validity of creating a new state through this method.

The next steps involve county boards communicating with one another. Illinois Separation expects more counties to adopt similar referendums in upcoming elections. The group continues to push for wider participation in the separation process.

The vote marks a continuation of a multi-year effort to address political dynamics in the state. The outcome gives local government bodies a mandate to begin formal discussions with peers in other counties.