Downstate group behind movement to break free from Cook County

Growing unrest over the policies coming out of Cook County is spurring talk among downstate counties of breaking free and forming a new state. 

Illinois Separation revealed that seven counties will vote on separating from Cook County and forming a new state. 

Spokesman Eric Ivers, a member of the Jersey County Board, said he is confident that a vast majority of residents will vote to form a new state.

“There are three or four counties downstate that voted blue, but the rest of us are tired of being pushed through the ringer by the folks up in Cook County,” said Ivers. 

The ballot question will read “Shall the Board of ____ County correspond with the boards of other counties of Illinois outside of Cook about the possibility of separating from Cook County to form a new state, and to seek admission to the Union as such, subject to the approval of the people?” The question is non-binding.

Iroquois County will be the first county to vote on the issue that is not more southerly than Peoria, as the movement has been predominantly in the southern half of the state. The other counties putting the question on the ballot include Madison, Jersey, Clinton, Calhoun, Greene and Perry counties. 

Ivers said the possibility that downstate Illinois could become a new state increased recently when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed openness to next year ending the ability of minorities to block Senate legislation using a filibuster. It’s conceivable that Democrats could trade statehood for Washington D.C. or Puerto Rico in return for statehood for downstate Illinois.

In 2020-2022, 26 and a half counties voted in favor of such questions, and none voted in opposition. The counties averaged 74% in favor. 

Constitutionally, any deal to make downstate Illinois into a state would require approval from the Illinois General Assembly.