Illinois secession movement grows as 12 more counties back split

Dozens of Illinois counties have now voted in favor of non-binding measures calling for separation from the state, raising new questions about the growing divide between Chicago and downstate communities.More Illinois counties vote to explore separationThe latest round of referendums appeared on ballots in 12 counties, plus several townships within Adams County, during Tuesday's election, with all of them approving the measures.The results bring the total to 45 Illinois counties that have approved non-binding secession referendums since 2020, according to a county-by-county review of election results and local officials.The measures do not actually remove communities from Illinois. Instead, they give voters an opportunity to express support for exploring separation.Supporters of the movement say communities outside the Chicago area are being overlooked by state lawmakers and that policies benefiting Cook County and Chicago can come at the expense of downstate Illinois."The state legisl