Six Illinois Counties Consider Splitting from Cook County to Form New State

Cook County, Illinois, may soon see six of its counties secede to establish a new state.

The counties of McHenry, Lake, DuPage, Kane, Will, and Kankakee are exploring the possibility of forming a new state, separate from Cook County, which includes Chicago. The movement, known as the "Six County Movement," has gained traction in recent years due to dissatisfaction with Cook County's policies and governance.

Reasons for the Split

Proponents of the split cite several reasons for their desire to form a new state. These include high taxes, a perceived lack of representation in the county government, and disagreements over land-use policies.

The movement has gained support from residents in the six counties, who feel that their interests are not being adequately represented in Cook County. They argue that the county is too focused on Chicago's needs and does not provide sufficient attention to the suburban counties.

The split would create a new state that would be the 51st state in the United States. The new state would have a population of approximately 3 million people.

Challenges

The Six County Movement faces several challenges. One major hurdle is the legal process involved in creating a new state. The U.S. Constitution requires the approval of Congress for any new state to be formed.

Another challenge is the financial implications of a split. The new state would need to establish its own government, infrastructure, and services, which would be a costly undertaking.

Support and Opposition

The Six County Movement has both supporters and opponents. Supporters believe that a new state would provide the six counties with more autonomy and control over their own affairs.

Opponents argue that a split would be divisive and costly. They also contend that the new state would not be economically viable.

The Future

The future of the Six County Movement is uncertain. The movement faces significant challenges, but it has gained support from a growing number of residents in the six counties. Whether the movement will ultimately succeed in creating a new state remains to be seen.