West Cook News

A group wants to create a new state of Illinois, one without Chicago, ABC 20 in Springfield reported.

It’s called 'New Illinois' and the goal is to make Illinois the 51st state, with Chicago becoming its own state. Member of the group include activist and state representatives tired of being overlooked by Cook County, said the story.

“There’s a lack of accountability, absorption of power into one geographic point and that allows not just one growth of supermajorities,” said the chairman of the group, G.H. Merritt. 

“What happens is it addresses the interest economy and needs of a major area, but neglects the rest of the state,” said Merritt.

Four states - Kentucky, Maine, Vermont, and West Virginia were formed after splitting from existing states, the station reported.

But a state can’t do it alone, Quincy University professor of History Justin Coffey told the station. Congress has to approve it and that is unlikely, the story said.