11 more Illinois counties to vote on exploring separation from Cook County

A movement to explore the idea of separating from Cook County and creating a new state is continuing to build, with 11 more counties set to vote on non-binding referenda in this year’s election.

According to the group Illinois Separation, which has spearheaded drives to put non-binding questions of separating from Cook County, a total of 33 counties have already voted on such referenda, with all 33 of those votes succeeding thus far.

In this year’s midterm election, 11 more counties will vote on similar ballot questions, along with several townships in Adams County, located in the western portion of the state.

Loret Newlin, the director of Illinois Separation, an organization that has helped to put separation referenda on the ballot in dozens of counties, says the group’s goals are informed by the feelings of those it represents that their concerns aren’t taken into consideration by the state’s leadership.

“This is our lived experience. We are ignored. We are not taken into consideration when they’re making a lot of the laws that hurt us,” she said.