Voters in three Southern Illinois counties to weigh in on proposal to separate from Cook County

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KBSI) — Voters in Saline, Gallatin and Hamilton counties will decide Tuesday, Nov. 3, whether county officials should explore separating from Cook County to form a new state.

The ballot questions are advisory, meaning a yes vote would support further discussions but would not change state boundaries or residents’ taxes.

In Saline County, voters will be asked whether the county board should contact other counties about a possible separation. Hamilton County’s ballot question specifically references forming the nation’s 51st state.

Twelve Illinois counties are considering similar questions this fall. Eleven are part of the Illinois Separation campaign, while Ford County has a separate proposal.

Similar measures have passed in 33 Illinois counties since 2020.

Illinois Separation Director Loret Newlin has said supporters believe their communities are overlooked by state leaders.

Gov. JB Pritzker has opposed the effort, describing it as a political stunt.

Creating a new state would require approval from both the Illinois General Assembly and Congress.

State Rep. Brad Halbrook introduced a resolution in February 2025 calling for the creation of a new state consisting of the 101 Illinois counties outside Cook County, along with participating communities within Cook County.

The resolution remains in the Illinois House Rules Committee.

The advisory ballot questions do not establish proposed state boundaries, a tax system or a plan for dividing Illinois’ debt and assets.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.