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Eleven more Illinois counties are to vote on breaking from Chicago after EVERY one of 33 backed a new state

Organisers say 11 more Illinois counties will vote on splitting from Chicago, after all 33 earlier referenda backed separation.
Organisers say 11 more Illinois counties will vote on splitting from Chicago, after all 33 earlier referenda backed separation.

'We are ignored,' says Loret Newlin, director of Illinois Separation, the group driving the push to split from Cook County. The non-binding ballots will be held in this year's midterm election, alongside several townships in Adams County. Rural, Republican-leaning counties accuse Chicago of crime, high costs and an outsized grip on state politics. Organisers want the votes to send a clear message to Springfield.

Iroquois County, roughly 70 miles south of Cook County, backed separation with 73 percent.

Madison County, Illinois' eighth most populous, has also joined the breakaway movement.

Organiser Dave Stopher says the governor is 'pooh-poohing us' and underestimating the movement.

MoreDaily MailIllinois counties to vote on forming new state without ChicagoThe IndependentA new state on the way? More Illinois counties could vote to leave Chicago behindb100quadcities.comAdditional 12 Illinois Counties To Vote On Secession From State, Totalling Nearly Half Of Illinois - b100quadcities.comNBC 5 Chicago11 more Illinois counties to vote on exploring separation from Cook County - NBC 5 Chicago
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