The growing movement to secede from Illinois and become the 51st state
Up First from NPR
Jul 5, 2026
A dedicated movement in downstate Illinois is leveraging the American tradition of secession to protest perceived Chicago dominance. By organizing ballot referendums and drafting state laws, these activists are signaling profound political alienation, creating a volatile dynamic that experts warn could escalate if peaceful political channels fail to address their grievances.
Key insight: The 'New Illinois' movement has successfully placed advisory secession referendums on the ballot in 33 counties, proving that this is a highly organized, long-term political effort rather than just a performance.
