Hi,

So if you're reading this, you probably live in or near the chicagoland area. Chicago has problems. Illinois has problems. We all know this, it's not a secret.

What if. What IF, we split Illinois in 2?

Cook county separates from the rest of Illinois, and "Greater Chicago" (or whatever) effectively becomes a new state.

Obviously, there would be logistical difficulties, but Cook county already accounts for over 40% of the entire state's population.

Instead of the gigantic pissing match our politicians partake in, each side can fuck off and do things their own ways. Blue Chicago can deal with its debt situation however it sees fit, while the rest of downstate Illinois would take a more Red approach to legislation.

Poke some holes in my idea. Why wouldn't this work? And would any Chicagoans be potentially opposed to this idea? Is there anything that could be seen as a quasi-precedent previously in the US?