Fox TV in Chicago interviewed a woman in suppport of the movement to create a state without Chicago.
There have been and were referendums in Downstate counties aasking the question.
The woman interviewed said that some county officials see the referendums as just a protest vote.
The referendums are strictly advisory.
The United States constitution has two requirements:
- approval by state legislature
- approval by Congress
With about 40% of the state’s population being from Cook County and over 70% within the Chicago metropolitan area, who thinks the two requirements above will ever be met?
There is one alternative that might have a better chance.
Convince the Chicago Metropolitan Area to spin off the rest of the state.
The metroplitan area’s economy brings in 75%-80% of state taxes.
But Downstate Illinois counties (not Cook and the collar counties) receive significantly more in state expenditures than they contribute in tax revenue
Maybe Chicsgo area legislators would agree to spin off the rest of the state so the separate Chicago-area state could lower taxes.
From Farm Week now Augustt 21, 2021, updated Sept. 6, 2021.
Farm Week Now reports that every $1.00 paid in state taxes, central Illinois receives about $1.87 back, and parts of southern Illinois receive between $2.81 and $2.88 back. (This comes from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s “The Politics of Public Budgeting in Illinois (Second Edition).”)
Reporting on the study, the Belville News-Democrat says, “For every $1 that Downstate residents pay in state taxes, they receive back roughly $1.70 to $1.87 in state services. In deep southern Illinois, this ratio can be as high as $2.81 to $2.88 for every $1 paid.”
So, those wishing to leave Chicago, adopt a new strategy: convince their leaders that it is in the best interest to go along with Downstater’s wishes.
