A mother carrying her child in a field at sunset
Why New Illinois?

Leave Illinois. Without Moving.

Our families and our roots are here. We are educating Illinois citizens about their right to pursue a new state under the U.S. Constitution.

New Illinois members gathered on the steps of a public building
About New Illinois

A New State.
Part of the U.S.A.

New Illinois is a nonprofit organization that educates Illinois citizens about their right to pursue the creation of a new state from the State of Illinois.

We are seeking a state split, following the process provided in the U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 3. We look to the West Virginia model.

New Illinois is not a part of any political party. We are a nonpartisan, educational organization addressing the longstanding divide in the State of Illinois.

Grassroots Nonpartisan Constitutional
Our position

Executive Summary

Our mission is to educate Illinois citizens about their RIGHT to seek to form a new state from the State of Illinois and to separate from the tyranny existing there.

Read the Full Executive Summary Executive Summary — Original Text

Executive Summary

New Illinois is a grassroots nonprofit organization seeking 501(c)(4) status. Our mission is to educate Illinois citizens about their RIGHT to seek to form a new state from the State of Illinois and to separate from the tyranny existing there. We are seeking a state split according to the procedures provided in Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution,[1] following the West Virginia model.

Our vision is of a State free from a tyrannical form of government, where residents will be able to experience a government representing their constitutional rights, as guaranteed in Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution.[2]

New Illinois is not a part of any political party. Rather, it is an educational organization informing citizens about their right to seek the creation of the State of New Illinois.[3]

New Illinois is the only nonprofit organization working throughout the state to form a coalition with other groups and individuals seeking an Article IV, Section 3 state split. It is the only organization pursuing incorporation as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit with the mission of educating for New Illinois to become a new state of the United States of America.

Representative government is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution—but Illinois wields disproportionate political power in favor of cronies, public sector unions, and urban areas—in particular, Chicago and Cook County. This causes the rest of the state to experience a disproportionate lack of power. Further, the State of Illinois’ legendary government corruption, fiscal mismanagement and pay-to-play politics have adversely impacted the residents in the rest of the state—rural, small town and suburban citizens outside of the northeastern urban hub.

Illinois is experiencing a financial crisis brought on by this corruption. Our politicians have driven us down the road to insolvency, and they are unwilling or unable (by virtue of the Pension Protection Clause of the Illinois Constitution) to stop and address the coming implosion.

In addition, Illinois is now a sanctuary state, putting it in opposition to Article VI, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.[4] This harms legal Illinois residents financially through competition for jobs and through the $3.85 billion extra annual costs for education, social services and other expenses.

Chicago has introduced a new city ID for all its residents—citizens and noncitizens, legal and illegal. This ID has been declared valid for voter registration—meaning that the rest of Illinoisans will have the power of their votes further diluted. The State of Illinois has done nothing to stop this threat and stand up for its people.

Illinois is a failed state and is not fulfilling its responsibilities to its citizens. We believe the situation is beyond reformation and will only be remedied through an Article IV, Section 3 state split provided for in the U.S. Constitution.

The U.S. Declaration of Independence declares that people are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights and can alter or abolish a government destructive of those rights. The U.S. Declaration of Independence further states:

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Our education program will work to

  • inform and build support among the population for an Article IV, Section 3 state split,
  • develop an organizational infrastructure demonstrating the new State’s ability to govern itself, and
  • facilitate the transition from Old Illinois to New Illinois.

FOOTNOTES

  1. U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 3. “New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but 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.” ↩

  2. U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 4. “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.” ↩

  3. Several names have been suggested for a new state being formed by splitting from Old Illinois, for example Southern Illinois, The State of Lincoln, Winnebago, etc. The name of the state is for the people to decide. “New Illinois” is the name of this nonprofit organization. The name “New Illinois” is being used to refer to the new state for the time being, until the citizens have the opportunity to select the official name. ↩

  4. U.S. Constitution, Article VI, Clause 2. “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.” ↩

The divide in Illinois

Not a Party Divide.
A Regional Divide.

This divide is not between Democrats and Republicans—it is urban vs. rural, small town and suburban.

We are two very different places, both culturally and economically. Legislation and policies addressing the needs and best interests of a major urban area like Chicago/Cook County are not necessarily in the best interests of the rest of the state.

The issues New Illinois focuses on are representative government, government corruption, and our state’s fiscal catastrophe.

Why we seek a state split

Why Pursue a New State?

Representative Government

We believe political power is concentrated in Chicago and Cook County, leaving rural, small-town and suburban citizens with a disproportionate lack of power.

Government Corruption

Government corruption and pay-to-play politics have adversely impacted Illinois residents. We want government that represents the people and their constitutional rights.

Fiscal Mismanagement

We believe Illinois’ financial crisis is the result of corruption and fiscal mismanagement, and that our politicians are unwilling or unable to address it.

Why Not Simply
Reform Illinois?

We believe the situation is beyond reformation and will only be remedied through an Article IV, Section 3 state split provided for in the U.S. Constitution.

Read Article IV, Section 3
What we are working toward

Our Mission & Vision

A mother and child looking across a field at sunset
Our families and our roots are here.

Our Mission

New Illinois exists to educate Illinois citizens about their right to form a new state from the State of Illinois, according to the procedure provided in the U.S. Constitution, following the West Virginia model.

Our Vision

New Illinois envisions a NEW State free from a tyrannical form of government, where residents will be able to experience a government representing their Constitutional Rights.

Our education program will work to:

  1. Inform and build support among the population for an Article IV, Section 3 state split.
  2. Develop an organizational infrastructure demonstrating the new State’s ability to govern itself.
  3. Facilitate the transition from Old Illinois to New Illinois.
“Why should WE have to leave?
Why not stay and fight for our home?”

From the history of New Illinois

Our history · Established June 2018

We Wanted to Leave Illinois Without Moving.

Those of us who founded New Illinois were talking about moving away. We found that in Illinois the taxes were too high, the opportunities limited, and the government corruption outrageous.

Then one day the thought struck—Why should WE have to leave? Our families and our roots are here, going back to 1870. Why not stay and fight for our home?

In June 2018, we formed New Illinois, a nonprofit organization with the mission of educating Illinoisans about their RIGHT, under the U.S. Constitution, to pursue the formation of a new state.

How We Began Organizing

In the very beginning, we decided that, rather than re-inventing the wheel, we should learn from groups in other states who had been involved in similar movements. This effort brought us in contact with the founder of New California, Paul Preston. Paul has been an invaluable resource and a mentor to New Illinois.

Since there is strength in numbers, we began reaching out to other organizations across the state who had common interests. In October 2018, we held our first informational event in Decatur, and have continued holding them throughout the state.

We also began establishing county committees, which carry out the mission of New Illinois on a local basis and will be creating an organizational infrastructure for a new state government.

Back to Our History

What about the name? “New Illinois” is the name of our nonprofit organization. It is also the name we use for the proposed state until its citizens have the opportunity to select an official name.

A white-tailed buck standing at the edge of the woods
“Rather than moving away, we wanted to leave Illinois without moving.”
Get involved with New Illinois

Help Organize in Your County.

Learn about New Illinois, attend an informational meeting, and help carry out our mission where you live.

— Why New Illinois?

A Better Path for

Illinois Communities

New Illinois believes rural, small-town, and suburban communities deserve a government that better reflects their voices, priorities, and future.

— Why New Illinois?

A Better Path for

Illinois Communities

New Illinois believes rural, small-town,

and suburban communities deserve a

government that better reflects their

voices, priorities, and future.

— Why New Illinois?

A Better Path for

Illinois Communities

New Illinois believes rural, small-town, and suburban communities deserve a government that better reflects their voices, priorities, and future.

A New State—Not a New Country —

New Illinois is a nonpartisan educational nonprofit pursuing a constitutional path to form a new U.S. state.

NONPARTISAN

CONSTITUTIONAL

PART OF THE U.S.A

A New State—Not a New Country —

New Illinois is a nonpartisan educational nonprofit pursuing a constitutional path to form a new U.S. state.

NONPARTISAN

CONSTITUTIONAL

PART OF THE U.S.A

A New State—Not a New Country —

New Illinois is a nonpartisan educational nonprofit pursuing a constitutional path to form a new U.S. state.

NONPARTISAN

CONSTITUTIONAL

PART OF THE U.S.A

— THE DIVIDE NEW ILLINOIS SEES

Not a Party Divide.

A Regional Divide.

New Illinois believes the state’s rural, small-town, suburban, and

major urban communities often face different economic and governing

needs. The organization’s case is about representation—not political party.

“Different communities deserve a meaningful voice in the

decisions that shape their future.”

— THE DIVIDE NEW ILLINOIS SEES

Not a Party Divide. A Regional Divide.

New Illinois believes the state’s rural, small-town, suburban, and

major urban communities often face different economic and governing

needs. The organization’s case is about representation—not political party.

“Different communities deserve a meaningful voice in the

decisions that shape their future.”

— THE DIVIDE NEW ILLINOIS SEES

Not a Party Divide.

A Regional Divide.

New Illinois believes the state’s rural, small-town, suburban, and major urban communities often face different economic and governing

needs. The organization’s case is about representation—not political party.

“Different communities deserve a meaningful voice in the

decisions that shape their future.”

Why Pursue a New State?

Representation

A government responsive

to the communities it serves.

Accountability

A renewed commitment to

transparent, responsible leadership.

Opportunity

The possibility of building

a more sustainable future.

Why Pursue a New State?

Representation

A government responsive

to the communities it serves.

Accountability

A renewed commitment to

transparent, responsible leadership.

Opportunity

The possibility of building

a more sustainable future.

Why Not Simply

Reform Illinois?

New Illinois believes the differences between Illinois’ regions are
structural—not temporary—and that a state split offers a more

lasting path than reform alone.

Why Not Simply

Reform Illinois?

New Illinois believes the differences between Illinois’ regions are structural—not temporary—and that a state split offers a more lasting path than reform alone.

— A WIN-WIN VISION

Different Regions. Different Needs. A Shared Future

New Illinois believes distinct regions could better address their own priorities through more representative government.

— Take the First Step

Be Part of the Conversation

Learn more, attend an event, volunteer,

or help organize in your county.

Grassroots. Nonpartisan. Constitutionally focused.

— Take the First Step

Be Part of the Conversation

Learn more, attend an event, volunteer,

or help organize in your county.

Grassroots. Nonpartisan. Constitutionally focused.

— Take the First Step

Be Part of the Conversation

Learn more, attend an event, volunteer,

or help organize in your county.

Grassroots. Nonpartisan. Constitutionally focused.

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