Illinois county to vote on splitting from state in November

MADISON COUNTY, Ill. – By a vote of 15-7, a county board in Illinois voted in favor of sending a non-binding referendum to voters in November, asking residents if they want to separate from Chicago to form a new state.

Even if the non-binding referendum in Madison County is approved, there will be no separation. The vote is not legally binding. Supporters of putting the issue before voters believe it’s an opportunity for them to let their representatives know how they feel.

There are efforts to examine separating from Cook County. Other Illinois counties have passed similar resolutions. The group, Illinois Separation Referendum, believes Chicago’s dense population has led to unequal representation for the rest of the state.

“As a taxpayer, I don’t feel downstate Illinois is fairly represented,” Madison County resident Dave Stopher said.

Board member Alison Lamothe voted no. She said downstate benefits economically because it’s part of a state that includes Cook County.

“The distribution of wealth in this state is in our favor and numbers don’t lie,” Lamothe said.

Other concerns raised during Wednesday’s board meeting include how much thought and research has gone into the costs of a separation.

Supporters believe the non-binding referendum gives voters a voice.

“This does not make the state split happen,” said Loret Newlin, Illinois Separation Referendum volunteer. “We have to have the state legislature vote and the federal government vote.”

“This is the worst resolution to be brought to the full board in my 26 years on this county board,” Michael Holliday, 8 ^th district board member, said.

Stopher said supporters are not asking for separation from the state, but rather an opportunity to share their opinion by voting.

“That’s all we’re asking,” he said. “This is an opinion poll.”

Madison County Chairman sent this statement to FOX 2 about the poll:

Letter to the Editor

I am asking the Madison County Board to reconsider its 15-7 vote to put an advisory question on the November ballot.

The advisory question will ask voters if the county board should communicate with other counties about the idea of forming a new state, separate from Cook County.

The resolution is unnecessary. County board members don’t need the voters to tell them to talk to other counties. They can do that today – without a resolution. Just pick up the phone.

Second, creating a new state is simply unrealistic. The United States Congress will not put a 51 ^st star on the flag for a “New Illinois.” Congress is more likely to add a star for Puerto Rico or Guam.

I disagree with many of the laws the General Assembly passed in recent years, but this resolution is not the answer.

In May 2020, I led the county board to vote, 26-2, to pass a responsible re-open resolution – in defiance of Gov. Pritzker’s one-size-fits-all lockdown. We just wanted to re-open as a county – as Missouri counties were allowed to do.

I understand the frustration of downstate voters, who don’t like the laws coming out of Springfield, but the answer is hard political work to block, modify or correct bad legislation.

Therefore, I’m calling on the county board to reconsider this resolution.

Kurt Prenzler

Madison County Chairman

Kurt Prenzler

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