Politics
Why There is a Movement in Some Downstate Counties to Split From Illinois
Illinois celebrated its 206th birthday Tuesday, but some downstate residents say it’s time to create another state.
The November ballot included a referendum asking some downstate residents whether they support exploring how to break away from Illinois and form their own state. All seven counties that voted were added to the growing list, signaling their dissatisfaction with what’s happening in Springfield and Chicago.
Loret Newlin is advocating for the measure with the Illinois Separation Referendum. She said that despite the criticism, she believes their efforts will pay off — referencing the founding fathers’ separation from England as an example.
“So why persevere and spit in spite of all the naysayers?” Newlin said. “We have got a great precedent set before us.”
The Chicago area accounts for roughly two-thirds of the state population in a small portion of the state. It’s also home to the majority of legislators in the Illinois General Assembly.
This can lead to the feeling of a power imbalance with the rest of the state, according to John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Institute of Public Policy at Southern Illinois University.
“There is this perception that the power in Illinois government resides in the Chicago area and that they have special power and clout in Springfield that allows them to get what it wants and disadvantages downstate.”
Some supporters said they disagree with a 1960s U.S. Supreme Court decision, Reynolds v. Sims, which established what’s referred to as “one person, one vote.”
“Three wolves and a lamb aren’t supposed to decide what they’re having for dinner that night,” Newlin said. “Because the lamb is going to lose every time.”
She cites COVID-19 restrictions, immigration policies and legislation protecting abortion access as a few examples of legislation that didn’t include the input of many downstate residents.
Shaw said that support for separation should be a call for Democrats to pay attention to the dissatisfaction of downstate Illinoisans.
“Leaders in Springfield would do well to just sit down and have some listening sessions with downstate lawmakers, political thinkers and thought leaders,” Shaw said. “And try to get a better sense of what the realistic concerns are of people and how they might be addressed.”
But Newlin said they are long past this stage.
“It wouldn’t have had to be this way if we could get a win sometimes,” Newlin said. “My friend … said, ‘Being in the same state with Chicago is like being in an abusive marriage with a partner who never thinks about what you need or what you want, it’s always about them at your expense.’”
Shaw said economic analysis shows that downstate counties are better off compared to Cook County when it comes to the state budget and services.
Newlin said that simply getting more money doesn’t mean downstate counties are doing better, arguing that the state’s money is not separated proportionately.
Critics say the secession movement doesn’t have a plan for what would happen if separation is successful, making this a performative vote. Newlin said proponents have plenty of time for that.
“We think about it,” Newlin said. “But if you look at our map, we have only got one-third basically of the counties on the ballot, and it’s taken us three election cycles to get this far. So we’ve got plenty of time out there to be thinking about it and having some ideas for what could work.”
November’s referendum, or any that have already passed, do not mean any counties will be leaving Illinois yet, but Newlin said they will continue the work to make it happen one day.
“Our government is supposed to make our lives better,” Newlin said. “Not make us feel like we are heading towards disaster and having that sense of impending doom.”
