Following the presidential election on November 5, 2024, a notable push for secession is developing in rural counties of staunchly Democratic states like Illinois and California. This initiative reflects the aspirations of residents who seek to form new conservative states, a contrast to the liberal policies of the big urban centers in their current states. They hope to establish separate governance aligned with their political ideologies and needs.
According to the New York Post, groups like New Illinois State and New California State are at the forefront of these efforts. They propose the creation of new states that would allow them to live under legislations and fiscal policies they find more favorable.
This involves drafting new constitutions and seeking legislation to move forward, although achieving statehood is a considerable challenge that involves both state and federal approval.
The sentiment has been fueled largely by political and economic concerns. Residents, who have seen peers relocate to states with lower taxes and less regulation, choose instead to fight for a new state framework that reflects their conservative values.
In Illinois, the notion of separating from the state has been building momentum for years. The election day brought this issue to the forefront in seven rural counties where voters considered the prospect of state separation. Iroquois County, for instance, saw a significant 73% of its voters backing the initiative to form a state excluding Cook County, home to the densely populated and Democratic-leaning Chicago.
Phil Gioja of Iroquois County commented on the tension between rural and urban areas, noting the disproportionate influence of Chicago in state affairs. "There’s a lot of people in Chicago, and I think that they make a lot of decisions that affect people downstate," he said. This exemplifies the sentiment that rural areas are not sufficiently included in policy dialogues that impact their lives significantly.
G.H. Merritt, leading the New Illinois State group, articulated the strategy behind their timing: "We always believed that our best opportunity to negotiate our way out of Illinois was when Illinois was approaching that financial cliff — it’s been on a path toward it for years." This highlights the strategic considerations involved in their push for secession.
Concurrently, in California, the New California State movement, spearheaded by founder Paul Preston, aims to establish a new state by excluding major urban centers like the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Los Angeles. His group has criticized the single-party domination in California’s governance, calling it effectively a separate entity from the union that primarily serves its interests rather than those of varied political backgrounds.
Preston expressed his enthusiasm about the progress of their initiative, saying, "I’m so flipping excited." This reflects a widespread sense of hope among supporters that these new state initiatives might gain enough traction to bring about significant changes.
Opposition to these movements comes mainly due to the complexities involved in changing state lines and the approval needed from state legislatures, which have shown no interest in facilitating these separations. The acknowledgment by California Governor Gavin Newsom post-election illustrates the heightened awareness of these sentiments, as he stated, "Message received. I care about all people," signaling an openness to dialogue.
This phenomenon is not isolated to Illinois and California but is part of a broader discontent in various states across the nation. The Greater Idaho movement is another example, wherein rural counties in Oregon are campaigning to join Idaho due to conservative leanings and dissatisfaction with state policies.
Eastern Oregon, feeling neglected by state decisions, exemplifies larger regional frustrations with state governments perceived as dismissive of rural concerns. Matt McCaw voiced frustration about Oregon’s stance: "The State of Oregon has said we’re not going to talk about it and are holding people in Eastern Oregon captive against our wishes."
The push for state separations follows a historical pattern where regions seek to align more consistently with their political and cultural values. Despite the excitement and serious backing these movements have garnered, they face uphill battles in both logistical and legal terms.
The movements in Illinois and California underscore a significant divide between rural and urban perspectives in America. Despite the legal and logistical hurdles, these initiatives reflect deep-seated feelings of political and cultural disenfranchisement among rural communities. As they seek greater autonomy and acknowledgment, the conversation around political alignment and state governance continues to evolve, challenging the traditional boundaries and prompting a reevaluation of state and federal relationships in the United States.