Illinois lawmaker files bill that would make Chicago the 51st state
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) - An Illinois state representative has introduced a bill that urges the U.S. Congress to make Chicago its own state and not a part of Illinois.
Rep. Brad Halbrook, of Shelbyville, filed the resolution HR0101 on February 7th, and it was co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Miller, of Robinson, and Darren Bailey, of Louisville.
The bill claims the majority of the residents in downstate Illinois disagree with the City of Chicago on issues such as gun ownership, abortion, immigration, and other policy issues,
This is not the first time in the state's 200 year history that measures have been taken to separate the State of Illinois from the City of Chicago: in 1925, Western Illinoisians declared their region as the "Republic of Forgottonia," and in 1981, State Senator Howard Caroll tried to get Cook County split
off into its own state.
The bill has yet to be assigned to a committee. It is a house resolution, meaning it does not need approval from the senate or governor.
