Man wants Illinois to secede from Chicago

An Illinois man has started a petition calling for the state to secede from the city of Chicago.

WICS reports Collin Cliburn started the petition for secession because he feels rural areas of the state are taxed higher and residents aren’t represented as equally as Chicago residents. The Facebook group, The Illinois Separation, has prompted thousands to express their frustrations with the city.

“You know we have so many failing communities because the people up there that are used to the city life, don’t understand how to get by down here,” Cliburn said.

Under the petition, all counties except for Cook are eligible to be admitted to the hypothetical new state of “Lincoln.”