Chuck Oberfranc

Growing Illinois Separation Movement Seeks Creation of New State Without Chicago A grassroots political initiative aiming to split Illinois into two separate states is continuing to build momentum as more local jurisdictions prepare to vote on the measure. Organized by the group Illinois Separation, the movement seeks to establish a new state independent of Cook County and the city of Chicago. To date, 33 counties have successfully passed local measures backing the exploration of a separation, with 11 additional counties and multiple townships slated to vote on the proposal this November. The movement originated under founder Collin Cliburn, who was initially motivated by a desire to protect Second Amendment rights against what organizers describe as unconstitutional acts passed by the state government. While Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has publicly dismissed the initiative as a publicity stunt, local proponents argue the non-binding advisory questions serve as a vital protest vote to signal deep dissatisfaction directly to legislative leadership in Springfield. While achieving a state partition is historically difficult, it has successfully occurred four times in American history. Vermont was admitted in 1791 following territory disputes, followed by Kentuckyseparating from Virginia in 1792, and Tennessee separating from North Carolinain 1796. Maine later partitioned from Massachusetts as part of the Missouri Compromise in 1820. The only instance of a true state split during active statehood occurred in 1863, when West Virginia broke away from Virginia during the American Civil War to remain loyal to the Union.