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Charleston Today
By the People, for the People
Coles County to Vote on Separating from Cook County
Advisory referendum seeks to explore forming new state, away from Illinois' largest county.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:23am
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A fractured, colorful painting captures the political tensions dividing Illinois as some counties consider seceding from the state.Charleston TodayVoters in Coles County, Illinois will be asked this fall if the county board should enter into talks with other counties about the possibility of separating from Cook County to form a new state. The advisory referendum comes after the Coles County Board voted 8-2 to put the question on the ballot.
Why it matters
The 'Illinois Separation' referendum reflects growing political and cultural divides between more rural, conservative parts of the state and the larger, more liberal Cook County, which includes Chicago. If approved, the advisory vote could lead to formal secession talks and a potential new state being carved out of Illinois.
The details
The Coles County Board voted 8-2 to put the 'Illinois Separation' advisory referendum on the November 2026 ballot. The referendum will ask voters if the county board should enter into discussions with other counties about splitting off from Cook County to form a new state.
- The Coles County Board voted on the referendum during its monthly meeting in April 2026.
- The advisory referendum will appear on the November 2026 general election ballot in Coles County.
The players
Coles County Board
The governing body of Coles County, Illinois that voted to put the 'Illinois Separation' referendum on the ballot.
Cook County
The most populous county in Illinois, containing the city of Chicago, and the focus of the potential secession effort.
What’s next
If the advisory referendum passes, the Coles County Board would then need to formally negotiate with other counties and the state legislature about the process of separating from Illinois and forming a new state.
The takeaway
The 'Illinois Separation' referendum highlights the growing political divides within the state, with more rural and conservative parts of Illinois seeking to break away from the influence of the larger, more liberal Cook County region.
