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The Metro East county could become the 27th in downstate Illinois to vote on possibly seceding to form a new state. Political and legal experts believe separation is highly improbable.
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The Government Relations Committee voted on Tuesday to approve a nonbinding referendum for the full board to consider. If approved, the referendum would ask residents in a symbolic vote if they would like to no longer be in the same state as the Chicago area.
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As the eighth most populous county in the state, Madison would be the largest with a secession referendum on the ballot. Illinoisans who want to secede see the Metro East county as a tipping point for their movement to break free from Chicago’s political influence.