IL HR0102

Urges Congress to declare the 101 counties of outstate Illinois, plus outlying areas of Cook County wishing to join, as the 51st state of the United States.

Cites policy disagreements between downstate Illinois and Chicago/Cook County, including 61 counties approving gun sanctuary resolutions while Chicago maintains strict gun laws.

Argues gerrymandering and population-based districting have concentrated power in Cook County (40% of state population), giving downstate Illinois inadequate representation.

Notes a 2020 advisory referendum on state creation appeared on ballots in 22 counties and won by 70-80% margins in each county.

References four historical U.S. states formed through similar separation processes and notes past separation attempts including West Virginia as precedent for the constitutional procedure.