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Separation referendums in Illinois

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A map highlighting the counties that have held separation referendums, mostly concentrated in the southeast
Referendums have been held in a number of counties beginning in 2020 with the aim of separating from Cook County.
  Cook County
  Counties that held referendums in 2020
  Counties that held referendums in 2021
  Counties that held referendums in 2022 (Madison County, marked by a dotted border, saw a referendum only in two townships in 2022, although the entire county held a referendum in 2024)
  Counties that held referendums in 2024

Beginning in 2020, a number of counties of Illinois have held referendums relating to the separation of Cook County, and more specifically its city of Chicago, from the rest of Illinois. This might be achieved by splitting Chicago and some nearby areas off as a new state, separating themselves from Illinois to form a new state, or separating from Illinois and joining a neighboring state. The counties that have held these referendums tend to be thinly populated rural areas, mostly in the state's southeast. Advocates state that the dominance of Cook County in state politics means that such areas are ignored. These referendums are not legally binding, and a division of the state is ultimately unlikely. The referendums and related legislation have thus sometimes been used to raise awareness of other political issues, and make political statements.

The modern politics of Illinois is dominated by Cook County, as it contains 40% of the state's population. This has made evident a strong urban–rural political divide, with the Democrat Party-leaning Cook County residents holding differing views on a number of issues to the more Republican Party-leaning rural residents. The state also has a long history of regional cultural differences, especially between Chicago and the rest of Illinois, which is referred to as "downstate".

While proposals to divide Illinois are not new, the current series of "separation referendums" was prompted by the close 2010 Illinois gubernatorial election, in which the winner, Pat Quinn, won only four counties, despite winning a majority of overall votes. A bill to separate Chicago from the rest of Illinois was presented to the Illinois House of Representatives, but did not progress. An organization named "New Illinois" was formed in 2018 to advocate for separation, and in 2019 one of its board members introduced a new resolution to the House, which did not proceed to a vote.

The first referendums on the county level occurred in March 2020, occurring alongside state primary elections. This initial three was soon followed by 20 more in November, which were held alongside the 2020 Illinois elections. One county held a referendum in 2021, while the 2022 Illinois elections saw referendums held in two more counties and two townships of a third. This third county and six others held referendums alongside the 2024 Illinois elections.

Background

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Population density map showing a significant population cluster in the northeast
Around 40% of the population of Illinois live in the northeast Cook County alone, and 75% live within the wider Chicago metropolitan area. (Figures from 2020)

The population of the state of Illinois is heavily concentrated in Cook County, including the city of Chicago. With 40% of the population, the county has a large impact of state politics.[1] The wider Chicago metropolitan area holds 75% of the state's population, and supports an equivalent proportion of the state's economy.[2] In total Illinois has 102 counties, including Cook County.[3]

There are longstanding historical and cultural differences between Southern Illinois and Chicago. The south was settled first, but was later eclipsed by Chicago.[4] Chicago has developed its own identity and has cultural links to the Great Lakes region and New England, while Southern Illinois has cultural links to the Upland South.[5] There have been many historical proposals to divide Illinois, either to join neighboring states or to create a new one, although none suceeded.[6] In the early 20th century, legislators from outside of Chicago (an area referred to as "downstate") refused to undertake constitutionally required redistricting following the 1910 and 1920 censuses, not wanting to lose political power to the growing city of Chicago.[7] Following the 1964 Reynolds v. Sims Supreme Court case, state legislative districts are required to have roughly equal population sizes.[1]

Modern politics also has a strong urban–rural political divide, with urban residents more likely to vote for the Democratic Party and rural residents more likely to vote for the Republican Party. Combined with the urban population being heavily concentrated in one country, has led to feelings in rural areas (also known as "downstate") that state politics reflects only the views of Cook County.[1] Disputes exist around the state budget, immigration, the minimum wage, gun laws, and the response to COVID-19.[8][9] The divides were strong enough to cause a two year budget impasse from 2015 to 2017.[10] State legislation is seen by advocates of secession as being tailored for Chicago, to the detriment of other areas of the state.[9] It is also often believed that resources are distributed in favor of Chicago, although the actual funding of downstate areas sees more money given by the state than is paid in tax.[11] Such divisions resemble similar urban–rural divides elsewhere in the United States.[10]

No state has been divided since West Virginia was separated from Virginia due to unique circumstances emerging during the American Civil War.[1] Advocates see the 1819 vote to separate the District of Maine from Massachusetts as a potential model. The legality of such an action in the current day has been questioned due to precedents such as the 1907 Hunter v. City of Pittsburgh decision, especially without the consent of the state involved.[12] Some advocates have stated that a large majority of counties passing such referendums would compel the state legislature to engage with them.[13] Creating a new state would also require the consent of the national legislature.[14]

The winner of the 2010 Illinois gubernatorial election, Pat Quinn, received a majority in just four counties. However, as this included Cook County, he won overall in the state. Following this, House Representative Bill Mitchell introduced a bill to the Illinois House of Representatives seeking to separate Cook County from the rest of the state. The bill was adjourned indefinitely in January 2013.[1][15] A poll in 2020 found support for splitting Chicago from downstate to be supported by around half of Republican respondents, while being rejected by almost all Democrats.[16]

The idea holding non-binding resolutions calling for a discussion of dividing Illinois, sometimes referred to as "separation referendums", has become a common tactic for expressing the desire to be separated from Chicago.[12] These can by placed on ballots by county boards, or result from citizen petitions.[13] John Jackson of Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute has stated that such resolutions are more a symbolic statement of discontent rather than practical or viable proposals.[11] Some advocates see the quantification of discontent as an achievement by itself, even if they do not succeed in splitting the state.[8] Others have used such legislation to try and draw attention to issues such as economic diversity.[10]

New Illinois

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In 2018, a non-profit organization named "New Illinois" was founded to promote the separation of Chicago from the rest of the state. As an alternative to just Chicago, it has also proposed the split of the whole of Cook County and its surrounding five collar counties (DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County).[1][17]

In 2019, a resolution to divide the state was introduced by Brad Halbrook, a Republican legislator from Shelby County who was on the board of the New Illinois organization. He expressed a desire for a state that he felt would be more like neighboring Indiana.[1] The resolution called for Chicago to be declared the 51st state, and received 8 Republican co-sponsors.[10] This resolution did not have the approval of the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, and so did not proceed to a vote.[13] Republican state senator Daphne Jordan introduced legislation calling for a study of the economic impact of a potential split.[10]

2020 elections

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Shall Moultrie County collaborate in discussions with the remaining 101 counties of the State of Illinois, with the exception of Cook County, the possibility of forming a new state and ultimately seeking admission to the Federal Union as the 51st state, pursuant to the provisions of the United States Constitution?

— Ballot question for Moultrie County in 2020[13]

In March 2020, Effingham County, Fayette County, and Jefferson County held and passed separation referendums alongside political primary votes.[9][18] Another 20 counties held and passed separation referendums alongside the November 2020 Illinois elections.[13] The 20 counties that held and passed referendums in November 2020 were:[13]

Edgar County and Hardin County had referendum questions approved, but due to clerk errors they were not held. Edgar County held and passed a referendum in April 2021.[13]

2022 elections

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Shall the board of Brown County correspond with the boards of the other counties of Illinois outside of Cook County 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?

— Ballot question for Brown County in 2020[12]

Alongside the 2022 Illinois elections, separation referendums were held in Brown County (passing with 1,444 votes for to 441 against), Hardin County, and the northeast of Madison County[12][19] (Leef Township and New Douglas Township, in total 213 votes for out of 285).[20]

In May 2023, Governor JB Pritzker stated his opposition to separation referendums.[21] In October 2023, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul stated that the Constitution of Illinois did not allow for counties to secede, and that any such referendums were legally non-binding.[22] This statement was sent to officials in Jersey County, where County board member Eric Ivers raised the idea of joining Missouri.[14][23][24]

2024 elections

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Shall the board of [the county] correspond with the boards of other counties of Illinois, outside of Cook County, 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?

— Standard ballot question for the seven counties with referendums in 2024[22]

Alongside the 2024 Illinois elections, separation referendums were held and passed in seven counties: Calhoun County, Clinton County, Green County, Iroquois County, Jersey County, Madison County, and Perry County. The closest was Madison County, which voted 56.5% in favor.[22] Six of these were in the southwest, with some being part of the Metro East conglomeration that surrounds the Missouri city of St. Louis. Madison County was the first suburban county to pass a separation referendum, and had a much higher population than other counties that had held successful referendums.[8][21] In addition to this, it was reported that at least 48 counties had committees looking into separation.[3]

Republican representative and separation supporter Charles Meier introduced a resolution to change the Illinois constitution so that the Illinois Senate would be determined by counties, with each senator representing 3 counties plus a senator for each single counties with a population of 1 million, rather than senators being allocated by population as is currently done. This was proposed as an alternative to separation, which Meier viewed as unlikely to succeed.[3]

In January 2025, legislators in the neighboring state of Indiana, including Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives Todd Huston, formally proposed annexing the counties in Illinois that had voted to secede. In proposed House Bill No. 1008, an "Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission" would be created to discuss this. This commission would require similar legislation to be passed in Illinois.[25] Illinois governor JB Pritzker rejected the idea.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Edward McClelland (October 15, 2020). "If Downstate Illinois Seceded". Chicago magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  2. ^ Jakob Emerson (July 14, 2021). "Study: Chicago splitting from Illinois would be economic disaster". KHQA. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Andy Banker (January 15, 2025). "'State of New Illinois' committee continues push to secede from Cook County". Fox 2. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  4. ^ Edward Robert McClelland (January 9, 2023). "We'll Swap You Southern Illinois for St. Louis". Chicago magazine. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  5. ^ Edward McClelland (August 23, 2019). "What's It Mean to Be An Illinoisan, Anyway?". Chicago magazine. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  6. ^ Eric Cunningham (May 28, 2021). "Illinois and Oregon Counties Seek Secession, but History Isn't on their Side". Elections Daily. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  7. ^ John R. Schmidt (June 26, 2012). "The Great and Sovereign State of Chicago". Chicago Public Media. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c Will Bauer (November 1, 2024). "Southwest Illinois voters to weigh split from Chicago county in secession vote". St. Louis Public Radio. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c Logan Jaffe; Duaa Eldeib (April 3, 2020). "Rural counties consider an alternative type of social distancing — kicking Chicago out of Illinois". ProPublica. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d e Matt Vasilogambros (May 14, 2019). "Behind the Movement to Kick Chicago Out of Illinois". Stateline. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  11. ^ a b Ben Singson (November 19, 2022). "As Brown votes to explore secession, expert says break-off from state unlikely". The Journal-Courier. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d "3 Downstate Counties Vote to Explore Seceding From Illinois, Forming New State". 5 Chicago. November 9, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Jim Meadows (November 12, 2020). "23 Counties And Counting: Downstate Separation Referendum Wins Favor In November Election". Illinois Public Media News. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Kurt Erickson (November 2, 2023). "Metro East county considers joining Missouri. Illinois AG says no". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  15. ^ Jennifer Earl (March 20, 2018). "These US places want to become the 51st state". New York Post. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  16. ^ Joe Millitzer (July 9, 2021). "Should Chicago and Southern Illinois split? New research says no". Fox 2. Retrieved January 22, 2025. Democrats largely rejected the idea while it has support from about half of Illinois Republicans. Here are the general results: Strongly Favor – 19%, Somewhat Favor – 9%, Somewhat Oppose – 12%, Strongly Oppose – 54%, Other/Don't Know – 6%
  17. ^ Linda Cook (February 22, 2023). "'New Illinois' sets meetings to pursue forming new state". Fox 2. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  18. ^ Joe Millitzer (February 21, 2020). "Choice to separate Chicago from Illinois to appear on some primary ballots". Fox 2. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  19. ^ James Neveau (November 11, 2022). "27 Counties in Illinois Have Passed Referendums to Explore Seceding From State. Here's Where". 5 Chicago. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  20. ^ "Summary Report 2022 General Election Madison County, Illinois". November 8, 2022. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022.
  21. ^ a b John Clark (November 6, 2024). "Seven Illinois counties vote in favor of secession, splitting from Cook County". MyStateline. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  22. ^ a b c NBC Chicago Staff; James Neveau (November 6, 2024). "7 Illinois counties vote to explore seceding from state". 5 Chicago. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  23. ^ Joey Schneider (November 4, 2023). "Illinois AG blocks push for Metro East county to join Missouri". Fox 2. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  24. ^ Monica Ryan (June 22, 2021). "County board member looks to make Jersey County, Illinois part of Missouri". Fox 2. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  25. ^ John Clark (January 15, 2025). "Lawmakers propose redrawing state boundaries, letting 33 Illinois counties join Indiana". MyStateline. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  26. ^ Jim Hagerty (January 16, 2025). "Pritzker slams Indiana as 'low-wage state' in response to plan to adopt Illinois counties". MyStateline. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
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