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Despite Darren Bailey dropping the idea, a handful of people still want to secede from Illinois

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* I’ve been getting several emails from Google lately…

xxxx (xxxx@gmail.com) is requesting access to a file via an old link, which is no longer valid due to a security update. Share the file with this person directly, or copy and send the new link in sharing settings.

The link is to this image…

* I’m pretty sure the interest in that older map has something to do with this story…

Illinois residents wanting to separate their communities from Chicago and Cook County is nothing new in the political world, but three counties took things one step further during the midterm elections, passing non-binding resolutions indicating that they want their elected officials to potentially explore seceding from the state.

These so-called “separation referendums” were on the ballot in Brown and Hardin counties, as well as a portion of Madison County.

The thrust behind the referendums was to allow the county board of each area to coordinate with other county boards to explore the possibility of seceding from Illinois due to the influence Chicago and Cook County have on the state’s political decisions.

Brown County, located in western Illinois, voted overwhelmingly in favor of the non-binding ballot question, with nearly three-in-four voters approving it. […]

Hardin County, located in southeastern Illinois, also voted on a similar measure and passed it. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a population of 3,649 residents, making it the least-populated county in the state.

More…

The [Brown] county board’s vice chairman Mike Yingling said a group of citizens petitioned to put the measure on the ballot. The decision directs the county to seek to join other counties who wish to cast off the influence of Cook County.

“If I recall, one of the proposals was that parts of downstate Illinois would become part of Iowa,” Yingling said. “And parts would become part of Missouri and parts become parts of Indiana and not a separate state.”

Since it passed, Yingling said the board now has more to add to its agenda.

“We’ll have to research that and see what that referendum mandates us to do,” Yingling said. “Which obviously just passed yesterday so we don’t know exactly what our requirements are going to be.”

Darren Bailey won Brown County with 82 percent of the vote. Sounds like a bunch of sore losers.

* From 2018…

Longstanding political dialogue in Illinois is that downstate Illinois does not receive its fair share when it comes to a return on state funding and resources.

While there is not an equal funding distribution across the state, research by the Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute shows that despite heavy rhetoric, the downstate region receives more than it pays into the state coffers. The best deals are received in central Illinois and Southern Illinois. […]

The research breaks the state’s 102 counties into six specific regions, including Cook County, a five-county suburban section that surrounds Cook County, and the 96 remaining downstate regions, which are subdivided into north, central, southwest and southern regions.

The research shows the south region receives $2.81 in state funds for every $1 generated. The central Illinois region of 50 counties receives $1.87 back for every $1.00 sent to Springfield. All of the downstate regions receive more from the state budget than they pay in taxes. By comparison, Cook County receives 90 cents for every $1, and the suburban counties only 53 cents for every $1 generated.

The study is here. And here’s the map…

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:19 am

Comments

Since we are almost certain the advocates of these efforts are “small government”, “local controllers” this deserves a serious effort to disannex the territory to MO,IN or some of the other Gardens of Eden on our borders. Skips creating new Senators, etc. Of course a continuing tax levy would be needed to pay off the bonds for buildings and roads in their regions. Should be fun exercise.

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:27 am
I don’t know how this would work practically or how the proposed state would even survive financially but it would be a guaranteed two-R Senate state (let’s call it the State of I-57), therefore it would have huge appeal nationally.

Comment by DuPage Dad Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:28 am
This continued old, angry, white, “they aren’t like us” garbage is the reminder that those who refuse to see the facts that “unless we are in this together, you’re nowhere”, you will get the utterly ignorant who will hate on “She-Caw-Go” but will take the wealth of Chicago just the same.

Pathetic people

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:30 am
All these cranks do is complain and whine.

I’d love to see efforts by these counties to sell themselves to the neighboring state they want to go to. Tell us Hardin County, why would Kentucky be lucky to have you?

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:33 am
My recollection from college political science class is that this type of effort would not be possible. Someone with more direct knowledge please weigh in.

The concern is of course that there would be no end to adding new states once the ball got rolling. How about five Dakotas??

Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:33 am
Perfect example of rhetoric over reason.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:34 am
Speaking as a Cook County suburbanite, go ahead and secede if MO/KY/IN want you. Only thing we should not do is give a bunch of downstate money pit counties two US Senators. Has to be a consolidation into existing states, not a new state.

Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:36 am
===Perfect example of rhetoric over reason.===

This is actually “pithy perfect”

These are also the same folks who want their representatives to vote no on infrastructure, education, health… but then complain about… bridges, schools, hospitals… that when these things get money, it’s other parts of the state that pay for their actual necessities that governing provides.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:36 am
I suspect that the State of Mississippi might support this. The new state would create a new bottom for all measures of health, wealth, and wellness.

Comment by DougChicago Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:38 am
But, all our tax money goes to Chicago.
If we secede, we’ll be so much better off.
Big S/

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:39 am
Rich, I saw a TikTok using that map and I wouldn’t be surprised if that user posted the link so their viewers could see the map for themselves, hence all your requests.

Comment by The Real Downstate Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:41 am
Actual post I saw this AM on Facebook.
“Yes Chicago does not need to be part of Illinois every damn tax dollar goes to Chicago”

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:42 am
I say let them secede but first, the state will remove all state funded infrastructure (state highways, prisons, parks, etc). Let them know what the rest of Illinois has pumped into their little corner of the world.

Comment by Sir Reel Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:45 am
The succession conversation is about the politics not the money. Downstate republicans and libertarians want to get away from Chicago politics running the whole state.

Comment by Jumbo1 Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:45 am
Dan Proft wants you in Florida. Move.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:46 am
“What have the Romans ever done for us?” /s

Comment by cover Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:48 am
I remember this topic came up and my comment was “it would be like Iowa without the urban charm.” And then Rich added a comment about the needed taxes. From nearly 10 years ago to the day:

https://capitolfax.com/2012/11/14/fun-with-numbers-9/

Comment by Vote Quimby Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:49 am
==succession conversation is about ==

It’s about, as Rich said, being sore losers. We elect representatives to represent people. Chicago and the suburbs have more people and, thus, the General Assembly reflects that. That’s democracy. Don’t like it? Too bad. That’s the way it works. This is nothing but people continuing to whine because they can’t get their way. Period.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:50 am
-it would be a guaranteed two-R Senate state (let’s call it the State of I-57), therefore it would have huge appeal nationally.-

Now let’s do DC and Puerto Rico.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:50 am
Nothing is stopping them from leaving Illinois. The same can be said of anyone who abhors a political environment they can’t change. If a Democrat doesn’t like the policies and power structure of a deeply red state, bye. Freedom.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:52 am
There main problem would be finding some state willing to take, and support, them.

Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:55 am
Maybe I’m confused. You clicked on the link?
If so and you worked for the State, DoIT would be sad to know their extensive training was for naught.

Comment by Lurker Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:55 am
I think the central region on that map is pretty large, so I looked at the county level numbers provided in the study. (Thanks for the link.) My county and the county I work in are under $1.00 and similar to Cook. I’m not disputing the point of the map…I was interested in my corner of the world.

Comment by Dog Lover Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:57 am
And be sure bond out your share of Illinois’ debt before you go. Might only be $20B or so, depending on the size of the group.

Not that I actually support anyone leaving, of course.

Comment by Jibba Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:59 am
These are not serious individuals but crave attention for their grievances. They had heroes in people like Darren Bailey and Tom DeVore. Practical policy is irrelevant and they will never accomplish their goals. They will never hold influence over state government and the ILGOP would be well advised to plainly acknowledge this if they hope to become relevant on a statewide basis again. Time for the circus tent to come down.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 9:59 am
Hardin County has 3,649 people. In 30 years it could be turned into a prairie and we could have a new state park there.

Rural Illinois is depopulating. If your county doesn’t have a major medical center, there is no point staying there. None of these people are being forced to stay in Illinois. And since many rural Illinois Republican voters are against immigration, good luck selling your house. Who do you think is going to move there?

Move somewhere else and or stay and make the best of it. But please stop whining.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:01 am
After looking at the study, I see Brown County has a ratio of 4.52
I’ll bet most there think their taxes support Chicago, not the reality of the the other way around.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:08 am
IMO: Having lived in both northern Illinois and downstate, this idea goes a little deeper than just return on tax dollars paid. In my current area, many people feel their more conservative values are not represented at the state level and feel Chicago gets to direct more liberal values throughout the state. Those values include abortion, marriage equality, crime and punishment, income taxes and less government involvement. The feeling downstate is that Chicago, through the liberal leaning ideology, gets to direct what downstaters are mandated to follow. And that by succeeding from Chicago, the downstate vote would count more towards their own ideology.

Comment by In_The_Middle Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:09 am
These are the same folks around here that are sharing a picture of all the Illinois counties in either red (Bailey) or blue (Pritzker). They claim its horrible that so much of the state is red and yet we still have Pritzker. Trying to explain that land don’t vote is like talking to a wall. They don’t seem to realize the prison down here would close as well as the Secretary of States office. Sometimes I just have to shake my head and walk away.

Comment by Fayette County Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:10 am
I’ve got in trouble for saying things like this before, but why do we still have a county that probably has a lower population than my block? I understand there’s a lot more physical territory to administer than my block, but other than pride, a few jobs and probably some state law, why shouldn’t it just be added to Pope or Gallatin County? Even the county seat only has a population of 300.

Comment by 48th Ward Heel Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:12 am
==the downstate vote would count more==

They want their vote to count more? That’s not the way it works. One person, one vote. Don’t like it? Move.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:14 am
As a Chicagoan I fully support this idea. We can keep all our tax dollars here instead of subsidizing downstate. Let them figure out how to pay for their massive road and bridge diet for example.

Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:15 am
===marriage equality===

This is always the most confusing of those three you chose.

These same E-Van-Gel-Eye-Cals talk of “Jesus loves everyone”, then decide, without taking a breath, to cite some Old Testament thought to same sex marriage while ignoring men with multiple wives, and other things that if they’ve read the Bible seem more troubling than thinking one should be able to love whom they love full stop.

Don’t get me started on the MAGA cult obsession with the “family values” cult leader, lol

Land don’t vote. Downstate is losing population at a quicker clip…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:16 am
One solution nobody in the “suceed from Illinois” crowd ever suggests- try finding candidates that don’t go all-in on conspicarcy theories, and that have actual ideas to bring in the many independants that reside in this state. That’s how politicians like Thompson and Edgar did it to win, and the state ran well (with some hiccups) for ALL of the citizens. But that woukd requre moderting your positions to attract more people, and there appears to be no place for that in the purity MAGA party (formerly known as the Republican party) of 2022

Comment by Roadiepig Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:23 am
…and you’ll never get residents down here to believe it.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:24 am
==many people feel their more conservative values are not represented==

How is it conservatives only feel represented when dictating how others should live their lives?

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:26 am
It makes for fun news stories, but such an effort would clearly violate the US Constitution.

Article IV, Sec 3 of the US Constitution:

“New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State…”

Can’t be done. Period.

Comment by SpiDem Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:26 am
“If at first you don’t secede, keep on sucking until you do secede.” — Jerome L. Horwitz (attributed)

Comment by MisterJayEm Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:26 am
===How is it conservatives only feel represented when dictating how others should live their lives?===

Top shelf.

“We believe in American freedom… under the following ways you are allowed to be free. Number one…”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:29 am
“Can’t be done. Period.”

Counterpoint: West Virginia (Virginia) and Maine (Massachusetts).

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:29 am
“Can’t be done. Period.”

It can be done, but the states and Congress have to agree to it. The full text:

New states may be admitted by the Congress into this union; but no new states shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned as well as of the Congress.

Comment by Full Text Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:38 am
That map is being used on Tiktok in IL discussions this week.

Comment by Rayne of Terror Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:48 am
==“Can’t be done. Period.”==
Reminds me of the 2A people who say “what part of ’shall not be infringed’ don’t you understand?” … the same part that you don’t understand “well-regulated militia.” It helps to read the FullText

Comment by Vote Quimby Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 10:49 am
=Those values include abortion, marriage equality, crime and punishment, income taxes and less government involvement.=

In all seriousness, they should move to a state that is more aligned to their beliefs. They are choosing to be miserable. And if there are practical reasons as to why they can’t do so they should also accept that many of their “grievances” are completely within their control. If they don’t want an abortion or to find themselves in a same sex marriage it would seem easily avoidable. If they don’t like their income taxes, perhaps we could change the system where they get back more than they give. I don’t think Chicago would mind at all. I’d say that they could also get rid of a few cops (government employees as they are) but that might not help with their crime and punishment issues. And when it comes to pushing back on government involvement, they’re practically there because they seem quite content in electing folks that have no interest in being involved in governing at all.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:00 am
== How about five Dakotas?? ==

Two Dakotas is already one too many Dakotas.

== The feeling downstate is that Chicago, through the liberal leaning ideology, gets to direct what downstaters are mandated to follow. ==

What those downstaters seem to forget is that Chicago and its liberal leaning ideology are shared in several of the population centers in Downstate, to varying degrees. I remember seeing (but can’t find the source, so take this as an anecdote instead of data) a graph in the last five years that said the most liberal county in the state was Champaign; not Cook.

Comment by Leap Day William Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:03 am
I get that this group doesn’t have the manpower to do a statewide petition drive but having this on the ballot piecemeal is an interesting approach. 10 years from now, are they going to say ‘fifty counties voted to secede over the past 15 elections’?

Comment by SIUEalum Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:10 am
Chicago benefits from downstate, downstate benefits from Chicago, and all the other places benefit from every other place as well.

Sorry, but my stance to people that want to split up Illinois is the same as my stance to people that want to split up the US. Bite me.

Comment by TJ Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:20 am
Brings new meaning to the term, “FOX Nation.”

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:21 am
=Those values include abortion, marriage equality, crime and punishment, income taxes and less government involvement.=
But marriage equality is the rule in all states and supported by a majority of the population of the country. And anyway having laws against abortion, against marriage by gays, and for longer meaner sentences (I take it that is what is meant by crime and punishment), all seem like they would require more government involvement, not less.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:24 am
=10 years from now, are they going to say ‘fifty counties voted to secede over the past 15 elections’?=

I don’t think this group will have that kind of staying power. Demographics suggest that a large number of them will either have died or moved. But I suspect that those that are left will still be angry. In fact probably angrier. Because most of what they are opposed to is what the rest of us might consider to be progress. And that’s a really hard thing to stop particularly when you’re part of a shrinking minority.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:24 am
All the folks who wish to secede to a neighboring state—-Indiana. Minimum wage is $7.25 and is a right to work state. The RTW status often leads to lower average wages for workers.

Actions have consequences.

Comment by Rudy’s teeth Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:27 am
What makes them think that any other state would want them?

Comment by JoanP Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:28 am
To highlight the discrepancy between what taxpayer’s pay and what they receive, the representatives from Chicago and surrounding counties should pass a requirement that all money collected in a county must be spent within 50 miles of that county. At that point, you will get some honesty from downstate representatives in how much their constituents receive.

Comment by Blackhawk Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:47 am
Creating a new state is an impossibility, not even worth discussing.

Moving the borders could be a possibility if both states were agreeable. But that probably isn’t the case.

Comment by The Velvet Frog Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 11:52 am
Can they please secede from the planet?

Comment by Big Dipper Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 12:02 pm
The fight to secede seems like a lot of work when you could just move out of state. Feel free to leave.

Comment by Politix Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 12:04 pm
=feel Chicago gets to direct more liberal values throughout the state. Those values include abortion, marriage equality, crime and punishment, income taxes and less government involvement. The feeling downstate is that Chicago, through the liberal leaning ideology, gets to direct what downstaters are mandated to follow. And that by succeeding from Chicago, the downstate vote would count more towards their own ideology.=

Funny how the downstate “feelings” are about preventing people from doing things, not forcing them (downstate)to do anything.

So much government control they “feel” they want.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 12:05 pm
Good. Let them go. Then downstate will no longer mooch off Cook and the collar counties.

Comment by South side cubs fan Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 12:37 pm
==To highlight the discrepancy between what taxpayer’s pay and what they receive==

Counter proposal: For a period of 10 years prior to secession State spending within the county cannot exceed the amount of taxes collected by the State within the county. At the end of 10 year period a confirmation vote on secession will be held.

Comment by Out Here In The Middle Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 12:41 pm
==people feel their more conservative values are not represented==

I have lived in western & central Illinois for 70 years. I can absolutely guarantee you that I am NOT represented by Mary Miller.

Does that mean I can ask for my own Congressman?

Comment by Out Here In The Middle Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 12:44 pm
JS Mill @ 12:05 pm +1.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 12:50 pm
Let us remember the facts. Onlu 1440 people in Brown County voted to explore their options.

That is the equivalence of one small high school gymnasium. Granting this much power to this few people would be silly. That would be like each neighborhood in Chicago or Springfield deciding which state government they wish to lead them.

It would be easier for the Brown County citizens to just stop listening to the Quincy media feeding them fictional stories about how the grass is greener everywhere else, and just ignore Chicago.

1440 people does not constitute a landslide in a state of 14,000,000 people.

Comment by H-W Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 1:26 pm
===1440 people===

I had more people than that living in my dorm at ISU.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 2:01 pm
“Jerome L. Horwitz”

Nyuk nyuk nyuk.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 2:53 pm
Dan Caulkins and his cronies mugging for the camera over the issue of secession in 5-4-3-2-1……..

Comment by Consider This Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 2:58 pm
Clueless fumblebucks.

Secede means no more bucks coming in.

Now they’ll need state cops, disaster agency, system to tax&rake it in, medical agency, bla,bla, bla.

Simply clueless. Small govt doesn’t mean no govt.

Comment by sal-says Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 4:14 pm
At least 2/3 of the state’s population live in Northeastern Illinois. Since it’s a one person, one vote country, it stands to reason that their preferences get voted in. If you can’t live with that, move to a state whose majority population agree with your preferences.
Of course, be prepared that it’s a state that is in the bottom 20% for spending on anything that would make your life better. Roads, bridges, hospitals, doctors, education, support for the elderly, disabled, etc.
Otherwise acknowledge how the preferences of Northeastern Illinois has made the lives better of all of us.

Comment by thoughts matter Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 4:19 pm
Well,of course they do.
Rather than being angry at their political party for running a flawed candidate who thought badmouthing the states largest city would help him win they want to kick that city out of the state.

They want land to vote….as long as it votes Republican.
Call it what it is.
A political temper tantrum by sore losers.

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Thursday, Nov 10, 22 @ 4:44 pm