Eleven more Illinois counties are to vote on breaking away from Chicago after ALL 33 earlier ballots backed a split

Rural Illinois is in revolt against Cook County, home to Chicago, blaming it for crime, high living costs and Democratic dominance of state law. Iroquois County, about 70 miles south of Chicago, voted 73 percent to leave. Madison County, the state's eighth most populous, has also joined. Loret Newlin of Illinois Separation said: 'We are ignored.'

The new votes come at the midterm election, plus several townships in Adams County.

Madison organiser Dave Stopher accused the governor of 'pooh-poohing' the movement.

Newlin said the push is 'no longer rural only' and 'not southern only'.