World

A new state on the way? More Illinois counties could vote to leave Chicago behind.

Momentum is building in Illinois to form a new state, with more counties ready to vote on leaving because of Chicago’s influence . Eleven counties are set to vote on non-binding referenda this year to secede from Cook County . If all 11 vote to leave they would join 33 counties that have already approved similar measures. Cook County is home to Chicago, but people in the state and nation have criticized it for its crime rate, cost of living, Democratic leadership and oversized influence on state