Jersey County board member Eric Ivers is advocating for the inclusion of up to eight downstate counties along the southern Illinois border into Missouri. He believes this move is necessary to establish rules similar to those in Missouri and to escape the influence of Chicago’s disproportionately large population.
In discussing the proposed referendum on this issue, Ivers emphasized the desire for regulations akin to those in Missouri, particularly in areas such as taxation and gun rights, which align with the preferences of red counties as opposed to blue counties.
Ivers acknowledges the challenges of implementing such a change, especially with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul dismissing the succession idea as having “no binding legal effect.” Ivers clarifies that the aim was not outright secession but rather to explore the possibility of altering state borders through a comprehensive process involving the Illinois legislature, the Missouri legislature, and the U.S. Congress.
While facing opposition, Ivers remains firm in his belief that Jersey County and potentially surrounding counties would benefit from becoming part of Missouri. Despite recent health challenges, he remains uncertain about the future steps of this initiative, citing potential difficulties in pushing for a referendum due to his current health status.
Ivers concedes that any succession plan would require approval from voters in Illinois, Missouri, and the U.S. Congress, making the path to such a change complex and lengthy.