Long shot is a huge understatement, but the sentiment alone says what you need to know.
Secession From Illinois Is in the Air
Please consider Secession From Illinois Is in the Air
As states grow more politically polarized, the difference between good and bad governance is coming into sharper relief for voters. Enough people are noticing in Illinois that some counties want to secede from the Land of Lincoln and join a state that isn’t ruled by public unions and their political yes-men.
In November, to little national notice, seven Illinois counties voted to consider seceding, and now Indiana is rolling out the welcome mat. Voters in Iroquois, Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jersey, Madison and Perry counties approved a nonbinding ballot question on cutting ties with Illinois. The votes weren’t close. Six of the seven counties approved the advisory question by more than 70%. Iroquois County’s vote was some 72%, and Calhoun County’s near 76%.
The Illinois fiscal mess is so great that pressure will keep building to raise taxes again and again. Pension debt was $144 billion in 2024, up from $16 billion in 2000, according to Wirepoints and the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker called the secession idea a “stunt” and derided Indiana as a “low-wage state that doesn’t protect workers, a state that does not provide healthcare for people when they’re in need.” Illinois has a higher average income, but that’s a legacy of the state and city of Chicago’s economic glory days, which are long past.
Mr. Pritzker is essentially claiming the superiority of his welfare-state, public-union governance model. But fewer people are buying it. Since 2020, 33 Illinois counties have voted to consider breaking away from the state.
Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution says “no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.”
This makes secession a high bar, since it would require Springfield’s agreement and approval from Congress. But maybe progressive lawmakers would be happy to be rid of those red counties so they aren’t regularly embarrassed by their votes to secede. Illinois Republican Rep. Brad Halbrook has introduced legislation for Illinois’s participation in the boundary commission.
When he runs for President in 2028, perhaps Gov. Pritzker can explain to voters why so many of his citizens want to flee his brand of tax-and-spend governance.
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On October 5, 2019 I wrote Escape Illinois: Get The Hell Out Now, We Are
And we did in July or 2020. Hello Utah, we love it here.
Meanwhile, Illinois has only gotten worse. It’s truly incredible how the state keeps electing worse and worse governors.
And the City of Chicago had a seemingly impossible task of finding a worse mayor than Lori Lightfoot, but Brandon Johnson is not only worse, but amazingly worse.
Since succession is nearly impossible, I suggest voting with your feet.
Needs to be done by state legislature districts. But decades of Michael Madigan gerrymandering may make that difficult. Funny how the Feds got so interested in him and Alderman Burke after a only a half century.
Stupidest thing ever. Illinois Farmers do better financially than Indiana Farmers. They also enjoy more and better protections. But, trans people.
Orion Samuelson was a big booster of Illinois farmers. I used to watch his show before Ray Rayner on Channel 9.
We’re farmers. We can’t go anywhere.
It’s interesting which trade-offs we go for. Having lived in Baltimore for nearly 50 years, through a tremendous renaissance and now at least 15 years into a racially charged collapse, I waste time at Realtor.com window-shopping for houses in my home state of Illinois. Property taxes are awful out there, but they’re awful here plus we have a homicide rate that makes even Chicago look benign (50 per hundred-k vs. 23).
Some of the smaller cities downstate look pretty decent, Macomb, Pekin, Normal, Champaign: low crime, colleges. I don’t think I’d mind picking up a place that cost 1/3 to 1/2 what a house in a decent part of Baltimore still brings. Actual property tax would be comparable, which depresses the price in Illinois and frees up substantial capital for my bad investments.
Small towns in northwest of state, west of 39, north of 88. Amish towns far downstate.
Several states, CA, IL, NY, especially, are following up those that move away with “audits.” Usually initiated with fraudulent bills, claims, for some unpaid “tax.” Plus penalties and interest. The further one moves, the more likely one will suffer this.
Those of middle to higher incomes and/or have a business when they move away should consult a lawyer and accountant on how to dot their eyes and cross their tees.
Secession is not only possible but commendable. I myself seceded from the US and couldn’t be happier.
“Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker called the secession idea a “stunt” and derided Indiana as a “low-wage state that doesn’t protect workers…”
Governor Pritzker is obviously stunting, as workers in the 6 counties aren’t being protected from the state government bleeding them dry financially.
When it comes down to it, it is going to take the workers of Chicago getting fed up with being taxed to death, in order to put a stop to what Marxist politicians are doing. A recent poll in L.A. determined that in a rematch between Mayor Bass and Caruso, currently Caruso is 7 points ahead.
That Caruso is only 7 points ahead after the monumental disaster of the recent fire overseen by Bass is just further indication that Los Angeles voters (and California voters in general) are either willful morons or incredibly uninformed and ignorant.
Chicago voters electing Brandon Johnson after 4 years of Lori LIghtfoot is another good example of that.
I left Illinois (Moved in with Old Neighbors in CAL) in 1970. California, at that time, was truly impressive. The beaches, Mountains, Skiing, Water-Skiing, Hiking, Tennis, and the BABES! I felt like I had gone to heaven. I finished college in five years, and got a job in the BRAND NEW HIGH TECH industry and actually was hired by Apple in 1977. I was offered the job but the pay was less than the Mini-Computer Manufacturer that I was working for at that time. Three years later, I got married and took a sabbatical from work (sold my Stock) and my Bride and I shipped a Motorcycle to the UK and rode it for a year through Europe (France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and so on). It was the trip of a lifetime.
I never looked back on Illinois. The weather alone was enough to keep me out until this very day. Of course, I went back for funerals (Mom, Dad, Grandparents, etc.)…but, the ATTITUDE of my relatives just blew my mind: “OH, YEAH, you are now in that Fruit State..” or “FRUITS and NUTS” and so on. The comeuppance for me personally was that I earned enough in the SillyCon Valley that I retired at 38 years old and we left Cal for good. We have an RV and we visit Family here and then get out.
Moving From Illinois was life-changing. I would likely STILL be working had we gotten stuck there. Plus, I married the love of my life and she is still as pretty and wonderful as she as in 1978 when I met her in SF.
I have only been on the lot once, for the final wrap party of Home Improvement, but i still enjoy driving past the Walt Disney Studios when i am out and about. The industry was my bread and butter for over 30 years. In 2020, my neighbor, a Cuban under Castro, left CA due to the political climate here, but i don’t have the desire to change locale.
meanwhile On the Front Lines Against Bird Flu, Egg Farmers Say They’re Losing the Battle https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/bird-flu-egg-farmers-biosecurity-backyard-flocks-pandemic-risk/
Tariffs didn’t caused the depression. Hoover was addicted to frivolous spending on MA Mississippi and the west, financed by raising taxes to the highest in history, along with banks frivolous lending to finance the stock market and NY Fed Strong financing GB ==> caused the 30’s depression. In response to tariffs foreign industries lower import prices on elastic products (not on inelastic products) along with raising tariffs on us. We made stuff people want: Ford & GM cars and trucks, planes for private mail co, radios, telegraph, generators, electricity, light bulbs, phonographs, modern house toilets…and food for ourselves and the world
The tariffs were also vastly dwarfed by the currency devaluations in foreign countries. Bad monetary policy and a credit bubble were responsible for the depression. The USA inflated massively due to undervaluing USD to help the UK get back on gold without devaluing, result was USA had to devalue. China was doing the same thing well into the 2000s, printing 8 yuan per dollar and ended up with a massive credit bubble and now constant devaluation pressure from the market, bad enough it reimplemented capital controls in 2017. USA ended the depression with gold revaluation. Then it had the 2nd depression caused by FDR’s policies.
– the sentiment alone says what you need to know.
> This could work out to be a test case of sorts. Up until now, most of these efforts failed, but perhaps mostly due to the “False Narratives”
– As states grow more politically polarized, bad governance is coming into sharper relief for voters.
> If there are more of the People Paying into the “Broken System” than People Receiving, because of the “Broken System” then I suggest some, if not all will say “Good-Bye”.
>> If this were to occur, then it will be officially a True “Test Case” and I believe we will see more and more of this occur, over the coming years. If there is a legitimate way, that works, to get out from under the strangle hold, many of this inner Cities have over there populous, then they may just “JUMP” at the chance, as I know I would!
Pritzker Is a paid “Yes Man” and has “Zero Sway” with the Voters. The only people listening to Him any longer, are the ones holding their hands out saying: “More Please” and waiting to hear how much.
Change is coming swiftly, and with no time to react, as there is no comeback to what’s been going on. It’s all for the betterment of the Country and Society Overall!! You simply can’t fight against that and Win…
Pritzker will lose by a landslide in 2028 just like Harris.
He can’t give away enough to get re-elected, because they don’t have it to give any longer.
It works out great, until you run out of everybody else’s $$$$$$
He’ll lose to different leftist Democrat, and nothing will change.
NO leftist Democrat has a chance to win the Presidential race in 2028. Americans started to make a stance when Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem. Bud Light and Target sales are still taking a hit. This election confirmed Americans are tired of the bs leftist crap. (illegals, trans, DEI, etc.)
– NO leftist Democrat has a chance to win in 2028.
> The more they sound like Democrats of yesteryears, the further they Sink in the polls.
– Bud Light and Target sales are still taking a hit.
> So is Disney, and others, But Comedy is making a Comeback!!
– This election confirmed Americans are tired of the bs leftist crap.
> 100% Agree! The Beauty however, is that the more they sound and look the same, the less and less they exist in peoples minds. It’s like listening to a Parrot…
“Kennedy embodys the best symbolic indication that the old partisan and ideological divides in the country that date back three-quarters of a century find themselves fully scrambled into a wholly new alliance. If you attend any events that bring together MAGA and MAHA, you know exactly what I mean. They are exciting scenes of people who have never been in the same room together, gradually discovering points of agreement and feeling very optimistic about the future.
.
No one could have predicted such dramatic events 10 or even five years ago. In the larger picture, Kennedy shows the extent to which the pandemic policy response continues to serve as the disruptive template that is shaking up conventional politics not just in the United States but all over the world and thereby building a new philosophical and ideological alignment that will disrupt nations, states, and industries for many generations.”
It seems as if they are COOKING UP UP A NEW VIRUS: the BIRD FLU, which could lead to forced Vaccinations, LOCK-DOWNS and the TYRANNY that started under Trump I.
This just in!
Potus minor has the solution to interstate conflicts.
Bigly reducing the chances of civil war.
With a swipe, jiggle, and slash of his giant sharpie we, the united stateS of America.
Will now become:
The STATE of America.
We figured it would be a lot less hassle if we were in charge of everything.
No more silly lines all over the map. A bunch of silly names.
Illinois being top five silliest…
Fourth graders across the country rejoicing because none have to learn said silly named states.
Keep it simple stupid, that’s what momma musk-rat taught me.
She’s never wrong.
You really are childish
He’s my inner child, and your vote put us in power.
In the 1840’s 9 out of 26 states defaulted. PA default was the biggest. Illinois defaulted in 1842. Southern states defaulted when demand for cotton plunged. Within a few months Andrew Jackson’s thriving econ was hit by the banking panic of 1837. It started the first depression. The Brits, the Rothschild and the Barring lost their money. Van Buren: u took the risk for 5%. It’s between u and the states. It isn’t US federal gov responsibility. Overcapacity in England started the 1830’s/ 40’s depression. In the late 1840’s famine hit Europe. Riots started in 1848. US farmers fed the Europeans, saving them from starvation, making our farmers rich. The Barring and the Rothschild financed James Polk war. The US expanded coast to coast. James Polk settled with the Brits the Canadian border. James Polk made the US a superstate.
– Southern states defaulted when demand for cotton plunged.
> Hmm… Automakers (All Products & Services) are basically in the Midwest & South.
>> I wonder what would happen if Most Americans had new or newer automobiles? What if most that did need an automobile, couldn’t afford one and won’t be able to for awhile still, and What if Rents stay elevated, and homes don’t sell, so what would happen to the housing market?
Things that make you go Hmm…
That’s democracy, not perfect.
However, secessions are long-term but at the end inevitable consequences of prolonged chaos, political polarization and implosion of the Federal governement. It starts with whispers, then goes into voting and ballots, then…
Uhaul Trumps the Illinois congress.
It would seem anti-democratic to deny a county to secede if the measure passes by a 2/3 vote, which is the requirement for an amendment to the US Constitution.
Most of Michigan would love to secede from Detroit. Same general concept everywhere. PA without Philly would be great. Let the blue cities with their sanctuary policies and crime fend for themselves.
In my state of Oregon there have been a couple secessionist movements. First was State of Jefferson, a northern CA and southern OR movement in 1940’s derailed by WWII. In recent years there’s been a building “Greater Idaho Movement” which has had several OR counties vote to open talks to expand Idaho’s border into Oregon. Again, a very high bar but it’s growing. Challenge is that when you’re a Marxist tyranny like Oregon, it’s no fun to no longer be able to stamp your boot on the face of rural lands. Often thought that these political and border realignments will become more possible during deep economic crisis…when Oregon couldn’t muster the forces to keep us IN. These would likely be “sporty times” bringing their own additional challenges.
Mish, it would be great if you did a post on the pros/cons of Illinois vs Utah. You’ve now lived in Utah for a long enough time to contrast good/bad from both.
Utah is run by mormons. Nuff said.
So what? Illinois is rin by criminals. Nuff said.
https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/americans-jittery-over-inflation-university-of-michigan-survey-suggests-1476cf39
If they leave, what about their share of the accumulated debt? They just get to secede away with a clean slate? Seems like they would have to pay to get out maybe.
Apportioning the debt on a per capita basis seems fair.
Yet another overnight catastrophe that just appeared after decades of termites destroying the state from the inside. The Illinois constitution passage citation regarding pensions goes back to their 1971 constitutional convention, even Little Richie participated. Every Chicago and suburban cop and suburban assistant school superintendent knows how to game the system. Sgt for a (last) day. School district beach blanket bingo –
https://patch.com/illinois/hinsdale/hinsdale-d86-official-leaving-another-job
The problem for the inhabitants of those aspiring breakaway counties is that the government parasite pensioners from Crook County and the ‘collar counties’ have already been beating them out the dine and dash door first. Votes need not correlate with actual voters to elect governors and Chicago mayors and Congress in the northeastern part of the state. .
Letting toilet commercials become bygones, Pritzker helped Rauner defeat Ives, then Rauner folded, as they’re on the same team where it means the most. Pritzker hand picked and funded the stooge Homer Bailey to run against him.
Anyone is Indiana who sees these invading locusts at an open house should donate gas money so they keep moving down I-65 to Nashville TN, where Fast Eddie V already has a big office with the name in lights downtown. Or up I-94 so they can vote for Mayo Pete for Senate in New Buffalo or Ann Arbor.
You can trim this Avery 🙂
Every one of those damn farmers comes roaring up to Chicago to find a doctor when they or a member of their family is desperately sick with cancer etc and needs real medicine. The whole Republican schtick talks about pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps and how awful every level of government is and shooting animals behind the barn and only God can save you. What nonsense. In the real world, nothing concentrates the mind like pain and agony, and after that youll pay any tax, any Chicago parking ticket to save yourself or your loved ones, and they arent gonna be saved by a witch doctor holding court in Carbondale, Illinois.
I’m pretty sure hospitals also exist in places not run by corrupt, and incompetent left wing regimes.
Maybe check with Mish, but I’m almost positive Utah has them.
Yes, but no doctor wants to live there and be restricted to only weekdays when they can buy booze. 🙂
Booze? I would have taken you for a Northwestern Wildcat Football tailgate aficionado. Yeah, the big game day parking probably costs more than a doctor visit in Carbondale. Not many Walgreens around with the free vax there, either.
Your ignorance is legion
St. Louis, while has issues but not like Chicago’s, has two highly respected medical school hospitals along with the usual hospital affiliates. Place is closer to Southern Illinois and myself, as a down stater and two time cancer survivor wouldn’t dream of going up there where the Chicago cure is getting shot and killed on the trip to the hospital.
Choice is the spice of life. Go where you want. Ill go downstate for a state fair, but thats about it.
Enjoy your servitude
You are 100% correct. Most rural counties in almost every state receive the bulk of their subsidies from either the federal government or the state government and most of that money comes from the main city centers. Cook country probably supports at least 50% of the state with their tax revenue.
I know for Texas, 50% of the tax receipts come from one country Harris (Houston). The rest of the tax receipts come from Austin, Dallas and San Antonio and that accounts for 80% of tax receipts. The other 20% come from 250 out of 254 counties.
The rest of the counties are welfare queens. They don’t produce enough revenue to pay for roads, bridges, sewer, water, electric utilities, schools, etc.
Let them all secede and cut them off from federal and state subsidies.
Very true. There are more God-fearing proudly American southern poor whites .. on welfare .. than those horrible black inner city welfare queens.
Don’t pretend you don’t know what per capita means.
That’s because white people are a much larger percentage of the population. Duh.
The roads and bridges carry cargo both ways. As to the sewer my septic tank gets no state support. My water comes from a well with no state support. Electric power is generated in the country and shipped to town. The schools are mostly self sufficient, or would be if the cities would stop slurping up the cash for whatever they spend it on.
Make the cities pay for their power and gas at fair rates and we’ll see how well bit-flipping really pays.
Don’t forget to add water to that list. Cities are never self sufficient in food, water or energy.
If the rural people were cut off from the tax money they’d just end up charging MUCH higher rates for food, energy and water until the cities cried uncle.
The Rust Belt cities on the Great Lakes have lots of water…..that the rest of the world wants.
And everyone one of those “damn city mice” (sarc) expects farmed food to just magically appear at their Whole Foods.
Humanity needs both … farmers and the liberal arts. We are talking about farmers and their politics.
Wrong. The world can live just fine without liberal arts but not the other way around
You go three months without food, and I’ll go three months without poetry.
You might need some large bootstraps…
What are the hazards of running the Chicago school district deeply into debt? With a projected $500 million annual deficit and holding a whopping $9.3 billion in long-term debt, the district depends on the city of Chicago, which also runs in the red, to provide most of its $9.9 billion in funding. Making matters more precarious, the district has to rely on short-term loans at high interest rates to make payroll. It is also the largest issuer of junk bonds in the U.S.
What a ridiculous and bigoted statement
But Illinois is one of the most trans-friendly states. I believe they have introduced legislation making it criminal to mis-gender someone who is clearly a dude but is pretending to be a woman.
You can still laugh at them, though, right? They’re usually about 6’3”.
If they want to incarcerate you for misGendering … I would have to say laugh at your own risk. I’ve seen some who seem to think they’re really hot which I believe means that they have no mirrors in their homes and they don’t look at still water very often.
They can do whatever they want… in a few years there will be no states rights, and it will be moot.
What a ridiculous statement
You haven’t been paying attention, but you will…
There is no bankruptcy chapter for states, but they can default. The 1933 Arkansas default was the last default by a state in the United States. Arkansas did eventually pay off the defaulted bonds.