In the last five years, voters in 33 Illinois counties have been asked if they want to consider separating from Chicago's Cook County to form a new state. Each time, a majority said yes.

While Illinois lost population as a whole in recent years, 15 of its 102 counties gained residents from 2020 to 2024, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The bureau's estimates of the ...

In the last five years, voters in 33 Illinois counties have been asked if they want to consider separating from Chicago’s Cook County to form a new state. Each time, a majority said yes.

The fate of two counties remained in dispute until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1871 that they belonged to West Virginia. Since then, there have been numerous failed attempts at realignment.

A century ago, The Pantagraph reported on a new state law authorizing counties to regulate dance halls. Among other ...