Should Downstate Illinois Become Its Own State? A Conversation with New Illinois

In this episode, Nathan sits down with G.H. Merritt and Dean Barker of New Illinois to discuss one of the most talked-about grassroots movements in the state. The conversation explores the organization's mission, the constitutional process they believe could lead to the creation of a new state, and why supporters argue that residents outside of the Chicago metropolitan area deserve greater representation in state government.

The discussion covers the urban-versus-rural divide, concerns about taxation, government structure, economic challenges facing Illinois, and the growing number of counties that have participated in advisory referendums related to state separation. Merritt and Barker also explain the legal distinctions between a state split and secession, outline the organization's goals, and share how residents can learn more or get involved.

Whether you support the idea, oppose it, or are simply curious about the debate, this episode offers an opportunity to hear directly from leaders of the New Illinois movement and better understand the arguments driving the conversation across many Illinois communities.

Learn more about New Illinois at:
https://newillinoisstate.org/

According to the organization, New Illinois is a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on educating Illinois residents about their constitutional right to pursue the formation of a new state through the process outlined in Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution. The group states that its focus is on issues of representation, government structure, and the relationship between urban and rural areas of Illinois.

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🎤 Highlights:

0:32 What is the New Illinois movement?

1:05 Why supporters believe representation is lacking outside Cook County

2:07 Is New Illinois a political movement?

2:53 The history behind Illinois' urban-rural divide

4:22 How legislative representation changed after Reynolds v. Sims

6:10 Frustrations heard from residents outside Chicago

7:14 Taxes, regulations, and government concerns

8:32 What inspired supporters to get involved

10:26 Why some residents choose to stay and fight for change

11:05 Responding to skepticism about the movement

12:13 Is creating a new state constitutional?

13:17 Economic arguments for and against separation

15:06 Support for the movement across Illinois

16:03 Historical attempts to separate parts of Illinois

17:23 What New Illinois wants people to understand

18:13 Questions about pensions, debt, and state finances

19:25 How a new state might compare to neighboring states

20:25 How residents can get involved

21:57 Why organizers say this is not secession

23:24 The Illinois Separation Referendum explained

25:05 County referendum results and voter support

26:22 What would need to happen for a state split to occur?

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