A New Era of Secession: Rural Counties Seek To Redraw State Lines

In an era of deepening political polarization, rural residents in Illinois and Oregon are spearheading a unique form of geopolitical change. While President Donald Trump has garnered attention for his suggestions of reacquiring the Panama Canal or purchasing Greenland, these local movements aim to redraw state boundaries in a way that could redefine the political map of the United States. The driving force behind these efforts? A growing sense of alienation among rural communities who feel their voices are drowned out by the political dominance of urban centers like Chicago and Portland.

The Illinois Movement: A Bid for Independence from Chicago

In Illinois, the push for secession is centered around breaking away from Cook County, home to Chicago, and potentially joining neighboring Indiana. Over the past five years, voters in 33 Illinois counties have been asked whether they want to explore separating from Cook County to form a new state. In each case, a majority has voted in favor of the idea. Proponents argue that rural Illinoisans have more in common with their counterparts in Indiana than they do with the urban, Democratic-dominated populations of Chicago. They point to issues like taxation without representation, a complaint eerily reminiscent of the grievances that fueled the American Revolution.

At the heart of the issue is the outsized political influence of Cook County, which is home to 40% of Illinois’ population, including a majority of the state’s Black, Asian, and Hispanic residents. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1964 decision requiring legislative seats to be allocated based on population, rural areas have felt increasingly marginalized. "What we experience in Illinois is very similar to what the founders in Colonial times were complaining about," said G.H. Merritt, chair of the pro-breakaway group New Illinois. "We have taxation without representation."

The movement has gained some momentum, with Indiana lawmakers advancing legislation that would welcome Illinois counties into their state. However, the hurdles are significant. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has dismissed the idea as "a stunt," and any such realignment would require approval from Congress and the relinquishing states themselves.

Oregon’s Greater Idaho Movement: Bridging the Cascade Divide

Meanwhile, in Oregon, a similar movement is unfolding in the rural, Republican-leaning eastern part of the state. Residents there are pushing to secede from the Democratic-dominated western counties and join neighboring Idaho. The Greater Idaho movement has gained traction, with nonbinding elections in 13 counties showing support for the idea. Supporters argue that eastern Oregon’s cultural and economic ties align more closely with Idaho than with the liberal enclaves of Portland and the Willamette Valley.

The movement has been bolstered by Idaho’s House of Representatives, which passed a measure two years ago inviting Oregon to enter into discussions about the potential realignment. However, the Oregon Legislature has shown little interest in advancing the proposal, leaving the movement stalled. "At this point, the state of Oregon is holding us captive," said Matt McCaw, executive director of Greater Idaho.

A Historical Perspective: Redrawing State Lines Is Rare but Not Unprecedented

While the idea of redrawing state lines may seem radical, it is not without precedent. State boundaries have shifted at least 50 times throughout U.S. history, according to the National Center for Interstate Compacts at The Council of State Governments. These changes have often been minor, such as adjusting for shifting rivers or reestablishing old survey markers. The last major realignment occurred during the Civil War, when West Virginia seceded from Virginia to remain loyal to the Union.

Since then, numerous attempts at realignment have failed. In the 1960s, writer Norman Mailer even proposed making New York City the 51st state during his mayoral campaign. More recently, a proposal to split California into multiple states has been floated, and an Iowa lawmaker suggested buying nine southern Minnesota counties earlier this year. Despite these efforts, the process of redrawing state lines remains an enormous political and legal challenge.

The Broader Implications: A Nation Divided

The movements in Illinois and Oregon highlight a deeper cultural and political divide in the United States. Rural and urban areas are increasingly at odds over issues like taxation, representation, and policy priorities. For rural residents in these states, the desire to secede is not just about geography but about identity. They feel their values and way of life are under threat from the progressive policies of urban elites.

However, the practical obstacles to achieving secession are significant. State realignments require the consent of both the states involved and Congress, a process that is as politically fraught as it is legally complex. Even if the movements in Illinois and Oregon fail to achieve their goals, they underscore a growing sense of disillusionment among rural Americans who feel their voices are not being heard in state and federal governments.

The Future of Statehood: Uncertain but Thought-Provoking

As the U.S. continues to grapple with political polarization, movements like New Illinois and Greater Idaho represent a fascinating, if unlikely, solution to the frustrations of rural communities. While the chances of successful secession remain slim, these efforts challenge the assumption that state lines are permanent fixtures of the American political landscape.

In a nation shaped by compromise and division, the idea of redrawing state boundaries raises important questions about identity, representation, and the future of American democracy. Whether these movements succeed or fail, they offer a glimpse into the deep-seated tensions that continue to shape the country’s political landscape.